2017 1/2oz $10 BIRDS AMONG NATURE'S COLOURS: PURPLE MARTIN FINE SILVER COIN

Known for their smooth gliding and morning song, purple martins (Progne subis) are happy to return time and time again to the nest boxes and birdhouses we put up for them! This avian “urbanite” is more common in the east than the west; but wherever it nests, the black-blue songbird is a delightful sight—particularly on the coin’s reverse, where selective colour recreates the beauty of the martin’s surroundings.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

SRP: $64.95
Item Number: 156236
UPC: 6-23932-08307-3
Composition: 99.99% pure silver
Mintage: 15,000
Weight (g): 15.87
Diameter (mm): 34
Face Value: $10
Finish: Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Derek C. Wicks
Packaging: Maroon clamshell with black beauty box

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Fourth coin in an exciting five-coin series that showcases a beautifully engraved bird in its colourful Canadian habitat.
• When you purchase the encapsulated coin as part of the subscription, you will receive a custom paperboard box that is as colourful as the coin’s reverse. Lift the lid to uncover a delightful surprise: it doubles as a music box—complete with a musical element that recreates the bird’s enchanting song!
• A unique approach that stands out from previous bird-themed series: Selective colour highlights nature’s colourful appearance, while enhancing the finer details that bring the engraved bird to life!
• Certified 99.99% pure silver, with a limited mintage.
• An exquisite addition to any nature-, bird-, flora- or Canadiana-themed collection.
• A beautifully artistic and meaningful gift for bird-watchers, nature lovers and art appreciators alike.

DESIGN

The reverse design by Canadian artist Derek C. Wicks features a richly detailed, engraved portrait of a purple martin (Progne subis). Canada’s largest swallow is viewed from below, its claws firmly gripping a stalk of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). Its forked tail and long, slender profile give the martin an elegant air as it turns its head towards the left side of the coin, as though studying its surroundings for signs of insect prey. Selective colour conveys the soft glow of a warm summer morning, when the sun’s early rays shine down upon the pastel-coloured tubular flowers that cast a gentle shadow behind them.