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2500 Dollars - Elizabeth II Snowy Owl
| Issuer | Royal Canadian Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 2014 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Dollar (1858-date) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A striking close-up frontal portrait of a Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) fills virtually the entire reverse field, rendered in exceptional high-relief detail. The owl's facial disc, intricately textured plumage, and piercing dark eyes are depicted with photorealistic precision, showcasing the Royal Canadian Mint's advanced engraving and finishing techniques. The curved legend CANADA appears in the lower portion of the field beneath the owl's beak. The engraver's initials AN are inscribed to the lower right of the design. The expansive mirror-polished proof fields surrounding the design heighten the dramatic sculptural effect. |
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| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Royal Canadian Mint |
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| Additional information |
The Snowy Owl kilo gold coin was part of the Royal Canadian Mint's "Birds of Canada" bullion series, a program designed to compete directly with premium-weight offerings from the Perth Mint and the Austrian Mint. At one kilogram of .9999 fine gold, these were never intended for circulation — they functioned as institutional-grade bullion instruments with a nominal face value bearing no relationship to melt value. Mintage was strictly limited, and secondary market premiums over spot have remained substantial since issue.
The RCM's shift toward ultra-high purity (.9999 versus the traditional .999) was a deliberate competitive decision made in the early 2000s to differentiate Canadian product in the Asian bullion market, where purity carries cultural weight.