The beauty and majesty of Canada are found in its awe-inspiring landscapes, but the rare glimpse of meandering wildlife also speaks to the spirit of the untamed wilderness. The 50 mm diameter, 2 oz, pure silver coins that make up the Imposing Icons series are a celebration of the natural serenity and uniqueness of the Canadian outdoors. The coins feature exquisitely engraved backdrops for the colour animal portraits that take centre stage. Unlike other animal collections that feature a side view of the animals, the Imposing Icons Canadian wildlife silver coins feature forward-facing portraits, providing collectors with more personal and up-close details of the species that make Canada so unique.
Artist: MauradeBaynton
Each of the four coins in the Imposing Icons silver commemorative coins set was created by the renowned Canadian artist, Maurade Baynton. Receiving prestigious training from the Banff School of Fine Arts and the Whiterock Center for the Arts, Baynton has been producing glorious depictions of the Canadian wilderness since the 1970s. With her experience and expertise, it is no wonder how she won the Royal Canadian Mint’s design competition in 2014 and 2020. Each of the four coins, two already released and two to be released in 2021, represents a Canadian species and its habitat.
Coin One: Bighorn Sheep
With a backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, the bighorn sheep adorns the first coin in the Imposing Icons set. While the Rockies are among the most photographed and scenic landscapes in the country, the bighorn sheep are elusive. The species ability to scale the daunting mountainous region with ease means that it often travels areas that are not easily navigated by people. While the animal does graze in the valleys, much of its life is spent easily climbing the rocky faces and vertigo-inducing heights.
Coin Two: Moose
The Imposing Icons coin series is an invitation to get up close and personal with the animals that make Canada such a wonderful country. The second coin in the series focuses on the reclusive moose. Many people do not realize that the moose is a member of the deer family and the largest of the family, as well. The moose holds such a special place in Canada that the animal even appears on Ontario’s coat of arms. With the skill of the artist, Maurade Baynton, collectors can now have a detailed view of this majestic species.
Coin Three: White-Tailed Deer
The third coin in this exquisite set will be released in 2021 and will include a portrait of the white-tailed deer in the Canadian forest, which is only one of the deer’s many habitats within the country. While the deer is a mammal found in many areas of North America, it is most populous in the northern regions. The animals are spectacular not only because of their unique colouring and size but also because of their unparalleled agility. A whitetail can make vertical leaps of nearly two and a half meters, and it is also able to leap a horizontal distance of nine meters. To put that measurement into perspective, the white-tailed deer can leap the length of a bus and can jump over an average-sized man.
Coin Four: Plains Bison
The final coin to be released in 2021 will have the portrait of a plains bison in the picturesque Canadian prairies. The bison is the largest North American land mammal, and the largest of its species can weigh in at over a ton. The aboriginal people have been using the bison for food, shelter, tools and fuel for thousands of years. Over time the aboriginal people came to regard the bison as their special gift from the Great Spirit. While the bison is a staple in many zoos across the continent, Canada is one of the few places where the animal still roams free.
The Imposing Icons Canadian wildlife series is a unique collector’s item. If you are interested in this series or other collector’s editions, contact Colonial Acres Coins.