In this forest shadow box, each layer adds to the story.

The balance of nature depends on predator-prey relationships that drive evolution, with each side of that relationship striving to adapt in order to survive. Every organism plays a part in the web of life, and that concept is beautifully illustrated on this fine silver collectible featuring a spellbinding shadow box composition on its reverse. Filled with lush flora and hidden fauna, the shadow box design is composed of superimposed layers of engraving that gently overlap, each casting shadows on the next and obscuring important story details that are only visible when viewed from a certain angle, ultimately revealing that the hunter may actually be the hunted!

Enjoy a woodland scene filled with hidden details… and dangers.

Good to know

Second shadow box coin. Back by popular demand! Introduced on the 2022 From the R&D Lab: Birds in Shadow Box coin, new minting technology introduces unparalleled depth by breaking down the scene into engraved top and bottom layers, and two cut-out layers in the middle, to create a floating image effect.

A design that rewards repeated viewings. Each layer features an incredible number of details and storytelling elements that add complexity, and even tension, to a seemingly quiet woodland scene. The top and bottom layers feature an antique finish, while the middle layers are painted.

New scene. While the first shadow box coin re-visited a previous coin design, this offering features a brand-new scene that has never been done before.

Predator or prey… or both? The superimposed layers purposely overlap to obscure some details that are only revealed when viewed from a different angle, which will change how you view this scene.

The appeal of the rare. Our first shadow box coin quickly sold out, and with only 750 available to collectors worldwide, this second one is sure to sell out quickly too! Don’t miss out!

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

No GST/HST

Did you know?

Wolves and cougars are among the known predators of Canada lynx which in turn are primary predators of snowshoe hares that average about 75% of their diet. When competing for resources within a shared territory, the larger and stronger wolf has some advantages over the lynx, but the wild cat is more agile and can escape a threat by climbing trees.

Behind closed doors

"I grew up on an acreage in Alberta along one of these ecotones between drier and wet boreal forest. Drawing this scene was like taking a stroll down memory lane for me because I loved to walk through the huge backyard for hours, reveling in the enormous diversity of plants that lived there, and the small invertebrates and vertebrates that inhabited this biome."

– Julius Csotonyi, Artist

"Humbled by the opportunity to craft this coin, I faced a unique challenge sculpting four intricate models within standard time constraints. The top plate layer, with its dense and detailed art, required a sculpting approach that maintained clarity and readability. Precision tooling was paramount for seamless convergence, marrying artistic intricacy with engineering finesse in a harmonious dance of craftsmanship.

This venture pushed beyond conventional design, delivering a masterpiece that blends multiple layers and dimensions and stands as a testament to overcoming challenges in the pursuit of artistic excellence."

– Aida Alves, 3D Artist-Engraver

About the design

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded wood case that makes for an elegant display.

The reverse design by Canadian artist Julius Csotonyi is set in a boreal forest environment, where the nocturnal summer scene is divided into four separate layers of engraving that partially overlap to create a shadow box effect. With its antique finish, the bottom layer sets the mood by showing a full moon shining in the sky above the mountains and spruce- (g. Picea) covered foothills. Engraved on the uppermost layer (also featuring an antique finish), the woodland foreground is teeming with flora that have attracted a semirelict underwing (Catocala semirelicta) on the upper right, and a hungry snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) at ground level. The two middle painted layers add more complexity and tension to this story: on the second layer, a lynx (Lynx canadensis) can be seen stalking the hare, while a pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)—an insectivore—is resting not far from the moth; and the third layer shows a wolf (Canis lupus) pack tracking the lynx from the edge of a stream. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Product # 246113

$175 Fine Silver Coin - Predator or Prey in Shadow Box (2025)