{"product_id":"2013-50-cent-silver-plated-coin-butterflies-of-canada-canadian-tiger-swallowtail","title":"2013 50-CENT SILVER PLATED COIN - BUTTERFLIES OF CANADA: CANADIAN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCanadian Tiger Swallowtail: Harbinger of Spring\u003cbr\u003eThe Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) is one of Canada’s most recognizable butterflies. With its broad wingspan of up to ten centimetres and the distinctive yellow and black tiger stripe pattern on its wings and body, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is a striking feature of springtime in Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis silver-plated copper coin has a diameter of 42 millimetres and features selective colour. The reverse image, designed by Canadian artist Celia Godkin, depicts a colourful Canadian Tiger Swallowtail resting on a coloured dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The reverse is engraved with the word “CANADA,” the date “2013,” and the face value of “50 CENTS.”\u003cbr\u003eThe obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBe among the first to own the beautiful flagship coin from the Royal Canadian Mint’s new Butterflies of Canada series.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn excellent addition to any collection and a striking gift for those who love butterflies, nature, and Canadian flora and fauna.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA beautiful celebration of species that is uniquely Canadian.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA beautiful proof finish featuring a mirrored-like background with selective colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlso available: a $20 Fine Silver Coin featuring a coloured engraved Tiger Swallowtail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Specifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFace Value: 50-cent\u003cbr\u003eMintage: 20,000\u003cbr\u003eComposition: silver plated\u003cbr\u003eDiameter (mm): 42\u003cbr\u003eEdge: Serrated\u003cbr\u003eFinish: Serialized\u003cbr\u003eCertificate: Serialized\u003cbr\u003eArtist: Celia Godkin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePackaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCoin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint branded maroon clamshell case lined with flock and protected by a black sleeve.\u003cbr\u003eFinished Size: 88mm x 88mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComplete Certificate text:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanadian Tiger Swallowtail: Harbinger of Spring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) is one of Canada’s most recognizable butterflies. With its broad wingspan of up to ten centimetres and the distinctive yellow and black tiger stripe pattern on its wings and body, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is a striking feature of springtime in Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Swallowtail’s showiest attributes—its wings—are also its most fascinating. The name of the order for all butterflies, Lepidoptera, means scale winged and refers to the unique structure of butterfly wings, which are composed of microscopic scales layered on a thin, transparent membrane called chitin that stretches over structures that are much like veins. This wing construction, which is being studied by scientists for applications in photonics and solar heating, helps butterflies to collect solar heat as they bask in the sun. The black colouring common on the wings of many butterflies, including the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, is also important in this process. The unique internal structure of the wing scales is responsible for the shimmering colour of many butterfly wings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnlike other Swallowtail species, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail breeds only a single generation each year. Its survival mechanisms, which include exceptional camouflage, help to protect it through its various stages of life. The larvae go through several moults, with their colour at each stage adapted to camouflage them from predators. In the earliest stages, they resemble bird droppings to deter consumption by birds. By the time they are mature caterpillars, they are dark green with two spots that look like eyes on their swollen front-section, lending them an uncanny resemblance to the head of a snake. They feed only at night—a further protection. When the caterpillar does need to defend itself, the osmeterium, an organ at the back of the head that is unique to Swallowtails, releases a foul smell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFound at the edges of hardwood forests and prevalent in flower gardens and among flowering bushes like lilac, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is common in all regions of Canada from mid-May to July. Its range extends from southern Canada to the Arctic Circle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"West Edmonton Coin \u0026 Stamp","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51175916503172,"sku":"121878","price":52.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0967\/3447\/8468\/files\/2013_50c_Silver_Plated_Coin_Reverse_Illustration__42458.1367455314.1280.1280.jpg?v=1759514730","url":"https:\/\/www.westedmontoncoinandstamp.com\/products\/2013-50-cent-silver-plated-coin-butterflies-of-canada-canadian-tiger-swallowtail","provider":"West Edmonton Coin \u0026 Stamp","version":"1.0","type":"link"}