2012 1/4oz $5 STERLING SILVER AND NIOBIUM COIN - FULL PINK MOON (APRIL)

Theme: Calendar in the sky

Description:
The Coin
In North America, the First Nations tribes that comprise the Algonquin people utilized the lunar cycle as a celestial calendar to track time. April is the month of new life. Its full moon is most commonly known as Pink Moon to reflect the fact that the springtime flower phlox, is carpeting the ground with pink blooms.
This five-dollar Canadian coin is certified to have an outer ring of 92.5% sterling silver and a niobium insert at its centre. It has a diameter of 28 millimetres and a struck coin weight of 8.5 grams. Designed by Canadian artist John Mantha, the reverse image centres around a cluster of three delicate pink phlox blossoming before a full moon. The flowers and night sky feature pink colouring selectively applied to the niobium insert to enhance the springtime theme. The moon is engraved to reveal in detail its cratered lunar surface and, along with the hearts of the phlox blooms, retains the coin’s silver colouring for striking contrast and beauty. In the polished silver ring surrounding the coin’s niobium centre are embossed the words “Canada” and “5 Dollars”. The obverse features the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by Susanna Blunt.

Special Features:

• Fourth and final coin in an exciting new Niobium series featuring the Full Moons of the Algonquin.
• Low mintage coin features a niobium metal insert with unique coloring that reflects the theme of the coin.
• Distinct and innovative minting process: Niobium insert is struck into the core of a sterling silver coin and then selectively colored through a unique oxidization process made possible by the special properties of this metal.
• Unique maple wooden flip case houses each coin or the full series.

Specifications:
Item Number: 113378
Face Value: 5 dollars
Mintage: 7,500
Composition: Outer ring: Sterling Silver, Core: Sterling Silver (obverse) Niobium (reverse)
Weight (g): 8.5
Diameter (mm): 28
Edge: Interrupted Serrations
Finish: Proof

Special Features:
-Fourth and final coin in an exciting new Niobium series featuring the Full Moons of the Algonquin.
-Low mintage coin features a niobium metal insert with unique coloring that reflects the theme of the coin.
-Distinct and innovative minting process: Niobium insert is struck into the core of a sterling silver coin and then selectively colored through a unique oxidization process made possible by the special properties of this metal.
-Unique maple wooden flip case houses each coin or the full series.

Packaging:
Coin is encapsulated and presented in a wooden display case, lined with flock and protected by a black beauty box.