Canada Predator

The Royal Canadian Mint has a history of producing some of the most sought-after silver and gold bullion coin programs in the world. Starting in 1979 with the introduction of the Gold Canadian Maple Leaf, it continues today with a variety of wildlife-themed programs that offer the most popular designs.

The silver Canadian Predator coins were introduced at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany on February 5, 2016 and the series will end in 2019. The designs are inspired by some of the Canada’s most well-known wildlife. The series from RCM begins with a cougar design and features a total of four coins depicting a lynx, a wolf, and a grizzly bear rounding out the series. Emily Damstra, the nature illustrator and Canadian artist, is the designer for the series. She designed the final two designs in the Silver Canadian Wildlife Series in 2013, and designed all four coins released in the Birds of Prey series in 2014/2015.

Each of the coins in the ‘Predator’ series was crafted using 1 troy ounce of fine .9999 purity silver. These coins are beautifully designed and contain security features that the Royal Canadian Mint has pioneered including micro-engraved radial lines and privy marks. The obverse and reverse of each coin in this series features radial lines, and the reverse features a privy mark with “16” engraved at its center. All these coins are also recognized as legal tender in Canada – with a face value of $5 (CAD).

Silver Bullion Mintage

Design

Obverse: Obverse: All of the coins in the Silver Canadian Predator Series share the same obverse design element. Susanna Blunt’s 2003 depiction of Queen Elizabeth II is the fourth to appear on Canadian coinage during Her Majesty’s long reign as Queen of England. This depiction of Elizabeth II in right-profile relief is the first image of a British monarch on Canadian coins without a crown since the rule of Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI. Inscribed above the effigy is the denomination "5 DOLLARS", to the left is "ELIZABETH II" and to the right is "D.G. REGINA". The coin's year of Issue is inscribed along the bottom of the each coin in the series.

Reverse: Reverse: The prominent feature on the reverse is the depiction of the wildlife predator. In 2016, Damstra created an inspiring depiction of the cougar lunging at its prey, with its mouth open and its claws ready to capture an unsuspecting creature. The rest of the coins in the series also contain life-like depictions of the animals hunting their prey. Engravings found on the reverse include “CANADA” at the very top, followed by “9999” immediately below. Along the bottom edge of the design field you’ll find “FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR” as well as Damstra’s “ED” initials. Like all new bullion coins from the RCM, these coins feature enhanced security features.