Canada’s iconic beaver, now in a 3D space.

On the 50th anniversary of Castor canadensis becoming an official symbol of Canada, the iconic beaver from G. E. Kruger Gray’s five-cent coin design has been given its own space to shine on this 99.99% pure silver coin, which features layers of engraving—not just on the coin’s surface, but on its interior, too. This is made possible by Multilayered Engraving, an innovative minting technique pioneered by our engineers and previewed in early 2020 (From the R&D Lab: Multilayered Polar Bear). Using special dies, we’re able to engrave behind the reverse’s top plate, which cuts away to present a more multidimensional rendering of this classic coin design featuring a cherished Canadian emblem.

Own a multilayered version of a classic.

Good to know

Canada’s five-cent coin, reimagined. Canada’s beaver-themed five-cent coin is reimagined as a multilayered coin! By separating the art into individual layers of engraving, this multidimensional approach brings renewed appreciation for a classic Canadian coin design.

Innovative technology. Pioneered by the Royal Canadian Mint’s R&D researchers, Multilayered Engraving unlocks additional design space by engraving behind the top plate and on the coin’s inside surface.

A low-mintage must-have. Only 1,650 coins are available to collectors worldwide, and the two previous coins—2020’s From R&D Lab: Multilayered Polar Bear prototype and 2021’s Multilayered Cougar coin—sold out almost instantly.

The art frames itself. The background offers a sweeping view of the landscape—it doesn’t just stop where the subject (the beaver) begins. It’s a more dimensional approach to coin design, all while working with the traditional weight and precious metal volume of a standard coin blank.

An anniversary year. This is one of several beaver-themed collectibles in 2025, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the designation of Castor canadensis as an official symbol of Canadian sovereignty.

A limited collectible. Only 1,650 of these innovative coins exist and are available to collectors worldwide—a very low mintage due to a complex minting process.

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

No GST/HST

Did you know?

The beaver is one of the only mammals (other than humans) known to manufacture its own environment, and as an ecosystem engineer, its building and logging activities are key to maintaining the health of our wetlands. From the 17th to the mid-19th century, the beaver found itself at the centre of the fur trade that was the economic engine of pre-Confederation Canada. Owing to its important role in this nation’s history and already a cultural icon, Castor canadensis was proclaimed an official symbol of the sovereignty of Canada 50 years ago, on March 24, 1975, when the National Symbol of Canada Act received royal assent.

Behind closed doors

“This coin is multidimensional, and involves two pieces—a bottom cup manufactured using a reverse extrusion process and a thin top plate/layer. It was particularly challenging working will all the delicate features of this coin, and masterfully assembling the components. I’m confident this will be a collector favourite!”

– Olivia Godwin, Product Engineer

“To accommodate the multilayered technology, we had to make a few layout alterations to the iconic five-cent design we all know and love. Notice the word ‘CANADA’ appears as an arc on the bottom portion of the top plate, while the date remains visible through the cut-out window. The biggest sculpting challenge was ensuring the even distribution of relief across the surface of the bottom cup—for example, the clouds, water and date needed to be perfectly aligned in order to achieve a flawless strike.”

– Eric Boyer, 3D Artist - Engraver

About the design

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

Your coin’s reverse is an innovative multidimensional rendering of Canada’s five-cent circulation coin design by G. E. Kruger Gray. The words “5 CENTS” and “CANADA” are engraved on the reverse’s top plate surface, and at the centre, the iconic beaver is surrounded by cut-outs revealing the landscape elements (clouds, water) and the year (“2025”) engraved on the interior surface. A wave pattern appears on both the top plate and on the coin’s obverse, which features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Product # 246121

5-Cent Fine Silver Coin - Multilayered Beaver (2025)