Silver commemorative coin designed by Jason Bouwman Oct.04.11
Written by Carol Classen
The Royal Canadian Mint has just released its 2011 $20 silver commemorative coin bearing another design by Jason Bouwman. True to Jason’s inimitable style, the image has both a simple, classic feel yet manages to convey multiple stories.
The impetus for the idea was the history of the use of Canadian waterways, from transportation and exploration, to sustenance and leisure. The coin depicts a boy on a peaceful canoe ride, reaching his hand to touch the water…and into the past. In a beautifully rendered twist, the reflection is a native man paddling a goods-laden canoe. In this way, the design also makes a nod to the original Canadian Voyageur silver dollar, minted from 1935 to 1966, where two men – a Voyageur and a native man – paddle a canoe during the fur trade.
Incredibly, this 99.99% pure silver, Toonie-sized coin is being sold at face value ($20). This appears to be a limited time offer, which currently includes the hst on the coin. There is also a promo code for free shipping in the September 29th edition of the Burlington Post. The coin has a mintage of 250,000, but orders are limited to three coins per household.
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