Celebrate Canada through this rich tapestry of emblems and heraldic elements.

It is a powerful portrait of Canada formed by some of our most notable emblems and heraldry. Meticulously crafted in 5 oz. of luminous 99.99% pure silver and selectively gold plated, this collector’s item features a new rendition of the Arms of Canada, redrawn by the artist behind the arms’ present official rendition: Cathy Bursey-Sabourin. The coin’s large diameter (65 mm) allows the viewer to appreciate all the intricacies of the heraldic design, rivalled only by the elaborate border in which the birds of Canada – all 13 provincial and territorial emblems – are paired with heraldic division lines to form a stirring representation of the Canadian landscape.

Canada’s Coat of Arms, as you’ve never seen it before

Good to know

A heraldic landscape. A celebration of heraldry and emblem art, this 5 oz. 99.99% pure silver coin presents a powerful pictorial representation of the Canadian landscape.

New rendition of the Arms of Canada. The coin’s 65 mm diameter makes it 2.5 times the size of a 50-cent circulation coin (27.13 mm) and provides ample space for a new rendition of the Canadian Coat of Arms, which has been redrawn to fit a circular format – a Mint first!

Selective gold plating. Selective gold plating enhances the birds and the Arms of Canada.

Noted artist. Your coin’s reverse was designed by the artist who created and drew the present official rendition of the Canadian Coat of Arms: Cathy Bursey-Sabourin.

Supreme craftsmanship. In heraldry, all details are significant – even the smallest line. Your coin’s reverse features a complex design and very finely engraved details that stand out thanks to the use of intricate frostings.

A prestigious addition. Exquisite art with a low mintage – only 1,300 of these engraved masterpieces are available to collectors worldwide.

Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

Did you know?

As Fraser Herald at the Canadian Heraldic Authority, artist Cathy Bursey-Sabourin drew the present official rendition of the Canadian Coat of Arms (or Arms of Canada), which was revised in 1994 to include an annulus bearing the motto of the Order of Canada, Desiderantes meliorem patriam (Latin for “They desire a better country”).

Behind closed doors

"I relished the opportunity to create a new rendition, not a new version, of the Arms of Canada. Nothing in the design has been changed in any way that would alter the blazon of the arms, and although it looks different than the familiar “official” version, it is still heraldically correct. While the overall coin design forms a circular nest shape that represents home, the graphic depictions of natural elements demonstrate how heraldry can tell a story in a simple and effective way — and I love the drama that they create. This design was both challenging and fun to put together — a real puzzle to make all the elements fit in a balanced and pleasing way, especially since the design is not symmetrical."

– Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, Artist

"The arms of Canada, proclaimed just over 100 years ago in 1921, were designed with maple leaves as a Canadian reference. Since that time, there has been a huge growth in the number of emblems representing our country, the official birds on this coin being important examples. Also, the Canadian Heraldic Authority, founded in 1988, has introduced many new and innovative ways to express our nation’s identity. This coin showcases many facets of Canadian heraldry, inviting you on a journey of discovery!"

"Being able to participate in a re-imagining of Canada’s iconic Coat of Arms is a huge thrill for me. Cathy’s drawings are great to work from and it is a pleasure to collaborate with the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The Coat of Arms are always a great challenge, but to be able to sculpt this one with the entire set of provincial and territorial birds will go down as one of the highlights of my career."

– Matt Bowen, Engraver

About the design

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

Designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, the coin’s reverse features a new rendition of the Canadian Coat of Arms, redrawn to fit a circular format. Around the Arms, the official birds of the provinces and territories of Canada, as well as heraldic stylizations and division lines representing key geographical features, are arranged in counter-clockwise order to form a pictorial representation of Canada from west to east, and across the north.

Starting at upper left: a Steller’s jay (British Columbia); a line engrailed for the waves of the Pacific coast; a line dancetty for the Canadian Rockies; a great horned owl (Alberta); a line invected for the round hills of the coulee landscape; a tapissé of wheat for the prairies; a sharp-tailed grouse (Saskatchewan); a great grey owl (Manitoba); a common loon (Ontario); barry wavy for the lakes of Central Canada and the Canadian Shield; a snowy owl (Quebec); a black-capped chickadee (New Brunswick); a line nebuly for the high tides of the Bay of Fundy; an osprey (Nova Scotia); a blue jay (Prince Edward Island); an Atlantic puffin (Newfoundland and Labrador); a line wavy crested for the Atlantic coast; a rock ptarmigan (Nunavut); a barry pattern representing the Arctic Ocean and the ice floes in Canada’s north; a gyrfalcon (Northwest Territories); and a common raven (Yukon).

The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Product # 246079

$50 Pure Silver Coin - The Heraldic Birds of Canada (2024)