Robert Bateman is a renowned Canadian artist who hopes to help people reconnect with nature through his paintings. The Royal Canadian Mint releases commemorative coins every year that celebrate people, places, plants, and animals that are significant to Canadian culture. By featuring the work of Bateman on the back of a 2022 $30 silver coin, it celebrates both Bateman himself and the natural world that inspires him. Who Is Robert Bateman? Born in 1930, Robert Bateman is an internationally renowned Canadian artist. He has exhibited his work in venues around the world. His paintings, typically done in acrylic, have been…
Canadian Coins
Cedar Waxwing Featured on the New $20 Colourful Bird Coin
No matter where you travel in Canada, you are likely to see at least one cedar waxwing bird. Because the cedar waxwing likes to feed in flocks, you are likely to see more than one, perhaps in your own backyard. It is featured on the newest Canadian coins for sale in the Colourful Bird series, which is good news for those who like coin collecting and birdwatching alike. Where Does the Cedar Waxwing Bird Get Its Name? Cedar waxwings primarily feed on insects and berries. In the winter, food becomes scarce, but cedar berries are still available. These become the…
Canadian Coins Make the Perfect Long Lasting Christmas Gift
Christmas is right around the corner. What kind of shopper are you? If you’re the person who starts early to select the perfect gift, Canadian coins might be what you are looking for. If you’re the one who doesn’t think about gifts until Christmas Eve, let this year be an exception. Tell yourself it’s almost Christmas. You have to buckle down to go shopping to get the best presents now. The Royal Canadian Mint has some great ideas for Christmas for memories that will last a lifetime. 2022 50-cent Santa’s Sleigh Lenticular Canadian Coin This 50-cent coin is a glimpse…
Lower Canada Tokens and the Rebellion in 1837
1837 isn’t a particularly noteworthy year in the archives of history. Yet in Canada, which was not officially Canada at the time, two rebellions took place that were part of the events that led to the country’s nationhood. Lower Canada tokens are part of the history of that time frame, but they don’t tell the whole story of the uprisings. Here’s the importance of these tokens that represent what was happening in Lower and Upper Canada. Historical Context For The Rebellions of 1837 The United States had recently been born. Britain was not very popular in the original 13 American…
How Were the Upper Canada Copper Tokens Used in History?
Living in the 1800s would be quite the experience for modern-day people. On a daily basis, you would face zero modern conveniences, lots of manual labour, and exposure to the elements. Life for merchants, farmers, bankers, and traders was also tricky, in that there was no set monetary standard for buying and selling. People would barter, coin their own money, or use any number of national, tribal, and international currencies to try and buy goods. The Upper Canada Bank Token was an attempted solution to this problem. An English explorer named John McTaggart adventured for three years in Canada and…
2022 Signs of Zodiac Glow in the Dark Silver Canadian Coin
The Royal Canadian Mint is full of surprises. If you have never seen a glow-in-the-dark coin used as official currency, be impressed with this item from the 2022 collection. Unique designs, cosmic meaning, 21st-century technology, and authoritative design merge to make this a rare collectible gift. Unique Designs From the Royal Canadian Mint Illustrated glyphs inspired by the night sky’s constellations are just the beginning. Emphasizing a high colour contrast between the midnight blue background and bright, brassy tones in the inlay, this coin features all 12 signs of the zodiac in evenly-dispersed 30-degree segments. The centre of the coin…
Answering Common Questions About Canadian Money: Part 2
Answering Common Questions About Canadian Money: Part 2 We recently published a blog post answering common questions that people have about Canada’s paper money and Canadian coins. This post is a continuation of the previous one in which we answer some additional specific questions about what our money is made of, what it looks like, and how we use it. Why Is Canada Paper Money Made Out of Plastic? Plastic banknotes are a relatively new innovation. Just over ten years ago, they were a type of paper made of cotton. The Canadian Banknote Company switched to a synthetic polymer in…
Coin Collecting Themes: Summertime in Canada
Winter may have the most popular Canadian sports, but summer is the prime season in Canada. Coin collecting is a great way to celebrate what you enjoy most about the summer months. Start a themed coin collection or give a gift that commemorates a special experience to someone you love by choosing one of these stunning coins that focus on what’s great about Canada. 2010 Canada $20 Maple Leaf Crystal Raindrop The maple leaf is probably the most recognizable symbol of Canada. This $20 coin made of fine silver is a unique rendition of the leaf, in bright green to…
Introducing The Bigger Picture Pure Silver Six-Coin Series
Introducing the Bigger Picture Six-Coin Set From the Royal Canadian Mint Starting in 2015, the Royal Canadian Mint produced and sold a “Big Coin” set. It featured all the designs found on the six denominations of Canadian coinage, but the diameter had been increased to 65 millimetres. The silver coins each weighed five ounces. This allowed collectors to get a better look at the designs that grace the reverse of Canadian coins. Further sets followed each year through 2019. The Big Coin set proved to be remarkably popular, and in 2022, the Royal Canadian Mint is following up its previous…
Collecting Coins Related to Hockey Canadas Favourite Sport
Collecting Coins Related to Hockey Canada’s Favourite Sport When people think about Canada, what comes to mind? For some, it might be a maple leaf. For others, it might be the beaver or a moose. Canada is known for maple syrup, politeness and nature. But the one thing that might be quintessentially Canadian is ice hockey. Golfer Mike Weir said, “Canada is hockey.” Even athletes from other sports understand that the country’s most prominent activity is hockey. If you love hockey and want to commemorate your joy in the sport, try coin collecting. We have many coins that celebrate hockey…
