The Indigenous creation story is legendary, and this new Royal Canadian Mint coin captures it on an iconic emblem with designs by two of British Columbia’s own—Alano Edzerza and Susanna Blunt. The two artists create a mural masterpiece that flies above other raven coins.
Uniting Canadian governments and Indigenous groups, this beacon of light, hope, and eternity screams (as a raven might) of their bright future together. It’s a physical reminder that the stories that are passed on have more weight than silver or gold. Learn more here about the 2023 $250 Raven Brings the Light coin.
The History Behind the Raven Tale
The traditional Indigenous creation tale can be traced back thousands of years and begins with the raven. There are many versions of this tale, but the raven is known as a trickster as well as the creator of light. The raven transformed into a baby and stole the sun, the moon, and the stars from a box where they were hidden by the sky people. Letting these objects out through the smoke hole of the elder chief’s house, the raven brings light from the darkness.
Creating a new way of life forever by defying the darkness, the boundary-crossing raven brings these treasures of light and joy to Earth. The trickster rides the thermals, croaking and screaming from its long, bristly beak and generating the beginning of natural order.
As featured on the raven coin, the raven has its mouth open wide. This could depict various things; however, one reason a raven opens its mouth is to regulate its temperature. Some versions of the light-bringer myth claim that the light the raven brought was a fire similar to the sun.
Artists of the Raven Brings the Light Coins
Indigenous artist Alano Edzerza shares in the age-old storytelling from his ancestors. He intricately designed his raven for whichever version of the tale one might choose to tell. The Royal Canadian Mint creates a unique way to share the genuine Tahltan tale, allowing those who own raven coins to show and tell a tremendous story with great heritage and impact.
Behold the silver raven, with bright golden rays of sunlight breaking forth like the dawn of creation. The contrast between darkness and light, with its surrounding serrated edge, represents the light-bringer’s purpose. As a Tahltan multimedia artist, Alano Edzerza renders the face using a traditional style of sculptural art. He chisels passion, history, and cultural truth into these prestigious Canadian coins.
Susanna Blunt, the Royal Academy’s silver medal winner, demonstrates great pride, honour, and respect in her coin designs. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side is decorated in fine yellow gold with exceptional detail throughout her hair and dress.
The pearls across the Queen’s neck complement the coin as much as the Queen’s natural beauty does. The 1952 date marks the first coins from the Royal Canadian Mint to bear her effigy; the four pearls separating the dates symbolize the four different portraits of Her Majesty that Canadian coins would feature.
Solidifying the rarity of these coins worldwide, both artists etched their initials on either side of the low-mintage coin.
Low Mintage Raven Coin
With only 450 raven coins in existence, their elegant mahogany wood collector’s box features a black felt-like insert that protects and showcases each commemorative, embodying the ongoing reconciliation between Canadian governments and Indigenous groups.
The raven coin symbolizes hope for a brighter future together. Just as the raven brings light to the world, these coins bring light to those who own them and share their origins. Don’t miss out on this rare treasure; contact us today to learn more about the Raven Brings the Light coin.