Celebrate the breathtaking beauty of Canada across all four seasons with this stunning maple leaf shaped collage, engraved on a 3 oz. 99.99% pure silver 2023 coin. Step into the Canadian landscape and immerse yourself in the changing tapestry of spring, summer, fall, and winter. From the vibrant hues of spring and the lush greenery of summer to the foliage-rich colours of fall and the snowy serenity of winter, all four seasons unfold before your eyes within the maple leaf, a testament to Canada's natural splendour.

Good to know

Crafted from 99.99% pure silver
Eligible for free shipping
GST and HST exempt
Includes a serialized certificate
Limited supply, with only 2,500 coins available worldwide

About transformation and the seasons

The pigments of the fiery reds, burnt oranges, and golden yellows associated with fall leaves are present at various times of year, including spring, summer and fall. As summer transitions to fall, reduced sunlight halts chlorophyll production, revealing other colour pigments: xanthophyll for yellow, carotenoid for orange, and anthocyanin for red. When these pigments break down, tannins remain, creating a brown hue.

The transformation is not limited to the landscape alone. Several northern mammals, such as the Arctic fox and Peary caribou, also undergo a colourful change, swapping their summer coats for heavier, insulating white fur in winter.

About the design

Elegantly encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell box, complete with a sleek black beauty box, this coin is a visual masterpiece. The clamshell box boasts a smooth, glossy black exterior and a plush, black velvet-like interior where the coin is cradled. Upon opening, the coin's reverse takes center stage.

The collage, shaped like the leaf of a black maple—one of Canada's ten maple species—reflects nature's integral role in Canada's identity. It intricately combines landscapes and wildlife from across the nation, ensuring a seamless transition between seasons.

Each season is associated with distinct colours, mirroring those found in nature. Spring is represented as misty and muted, summer is bright and lively, fall is warm and calm, and winter is crisp and cool. These colours are elegantly represented in the collage, employing colour over engraved relief and changing palettes to depict nature's cyclical transformation.

Obverse: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The obverse showcases the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, set against a geometric pattern background. It also features a special marking with four pearls, symbolizing the four effigies on Canadian coins and the double date of her reign. Text inscriptions including "Elizabeth II," "D.G. Regina," and "1952-2022" encircle the coin's edge.

Reverse: The Four Seasons Collage

Designed by artist Caitlin Lindstrom-Milne, the reverse displays a composite of Canadian landscapes, framed by the outline of a black maple leaf (Acer nigrum). In the background, Canada geese (Branta canadensis) fly in a “V” formation, symbolizing the changing seasons in Canada.

The four-season journey begins with spring, where a tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) glides through flowery meadows and mountains under a colourful morning sky. Transitioning to a bright summer day, a grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) catches its next meal. As migrating geese grace the sky, the green foliage transforms into the vibrant red, orange, brown, and yellow of fall.

The setting sun bathes the grasslands and iconic bison (Bison bison) in a warm glow. The final view captures the tranquil beauty of Canadian winter, featuring a dozing Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) and an iceberg adrift in the ocean, hinting at the return of spring.

Product # 245955

$50 Pure Silver Coin - Canadian Collage: Four Seasons (2023)