Canada 125 Dollars Half Kilogram Fine Silver Coin 2015 The Whooping Crane

Canada 125 Dollars Half Kilogram Fine Silver Coin 2015 The Whooping Crane

Conservation Series

There is a graceful elegance to the whooping crane (Grus americana) in flight, as it glides through the sky on wide, outstretched wings. Yet theirs is a surprisingly fragile beauty; by 1941, in all of North America, only 16 migrating whooping cranes existed in the wild. Fortunately, a conservation movement was launched to protect these majestic birds—one of which is forever immortalised with this stunning coin.

Habitat protection, population monitoring and breeding programs have been essential in preventing the complete extinction of North America’s tallest bird. There is still much progress to be made before the whooping crane is no longer considered endangered, but it has become an important chapter in the conservation movement that is essential to preserving Canada’s rich biodiversity—our natural heritage!

The larger format of this coin illustrates the beauty and majesty of the whooping crane!

Obverse: Susanna Blunt’s design of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Reverse: Designed by Canadian artist Luc Normandin, your coin captures all of the majesty, elegance and beauty of a whooping crane in flight. Fully extended, the bird’s broad wings fill the upper space of the image's field, revealing the black flight feathers that are normally hidden when the bird is at rest. The crane’s long neck and legs are extended as it takes flight, lending the image a sense of energy and movement. Behind the whooping crane, its nesting habitat in the Canadian wetlands is beautifully rendered in fine detail, complete with the tall grasses and wooded areas along the marsh’s edge.

Mintage: 500.
Composition: 99.99% pure silver.
Finish: proof.
Weight: 500 g.
Diameter: 85 mm.
Edge: serrated.
Face value: 125 Canadian Dollars.
Artist: Luc Normandin (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse).

•  The whooping crane was named for its single-note, bugle-like call that can be heard several kilometres away during courtship, or when they’re feeling frightened and aggressive.
•  It is not unusual for the whooping crane to fly non-stop for 10 hours. By gliding, spiralling and riding thermal updrafts, the crane can cover a considerable distance in just one flight.
•  Cranes will typically lay two eggs, which take roughly 30 days to hatch. During that time, both parents keep the nest warm.
•  Several whooping cranes have lived 40 years in captivity, and mate for life! It can take up to two years to build their relationship but once established, there are rarely any questions about the pair’s loyalty to one another.

Special features:
•  Your coin highlights the importance of the preservation of Canada’s wilderness.
•  Finely detailed engraving captures the breathtaking beauty of the whooping crane within a natural wetlands setting.
•  The whooping crane has rarely been featured on coins issued by the Royal Canadian Mint. This large 85-millimetres silver coin showcases North America’s tallest bird beautifully.
•  An intricately detailed portrait of this special species is highlighted with a variety of carefully applied finishes.

Conservation Series:     

Whooping Crane    Grey Fox    Narwhal