2014 - $20 - 1 oz. Fine Silver Coin - The Bison: A Family at Rest

Until the late 1800s, the bison reigned as the dominant land-grazing animal throughout Canada's grassland regions, from Manitoba to Alberta. Its unique shoulder hump, shaggy mane and are just some of the physical attributes that contribute to the bison's reputation as a symbol of strength.

Moving across the landscape in large herds, the plains bison (Bison bison bison) is a social animal. Together, they are highly protective of one another—often reacting as a group to a perceived threat—and will go to great lengths to protect calves.

These new additions to the herd are typically born between mid-April and May. Weighing up to 25 kilograms at birth, the red-coloured calf is able to walk and run within a few hours of its arrival. Its fur will begin to darken around the three-month mark, slowly taking on the familiar dark brown of a mature bison. During the calf's first year of its 15- to 20-year life span in the wild, the cow serves as its primary caregiver, nurturing and protecting it from such predators as wolves and mountain lions.

Designed by Canadian artist Claudio D'Angelo your coin depicts a family grouping of three plains bison. The bull's side profile is seen as it stands in the background, an imposing figure amidst the grassy landscape on this early summer day. Next to it, a cow rests on its forelegs but keeps an ever-watchful eye on the calf. This young bison is inquisitively studying a black-billed magpie (seen in the foreground) as the black and white bird forages for insects along the dusty ground. Above this serene scene, the word "CANADA" is engraved, while the face value of "20 DOLLARS" and the date "2014" are engraved below the bison and magpie. The coin also features edge lettering with the words "1 OZ FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR" engraved in a repeating pattern around the coin's edge.

Specifications

• Mintage 7500
• Composition fine silver (99.99% pure)
• Finish proof
• Weight (g) 31.39
• Diameter (mm) 38
• Edge plain with edge lettering
• Certificate serialized
• Face value 20 dollars
• Artist Claudio D'Angelo (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)