2013 $5 FINE SILVER COIN – CANADIAN BANK OF COMMERCE BANK NOTE DESIGN

The first coin in the Royal Canadian Mint’s exciting new series featuring designs from historical Canadian bank notes.

The reverse image of this fine silver coin features a seascape-themed vignette from the Canadian Bank of Commerce’s 1888 20-dollar bank note. The vignette centres around a youthful figure, possibly a young Hermès, a god of the Greek pantheon who was a patron of travellers. The figure leans on a large fish with his left arm, holding in his right hand a caduceus—a staff entwined by two snakes which was often carried by Hermès in the Greek tradition. The symbolic associations of the caduceus include commerce and balance. On the left side of the image, in the distant sea behind the central figure, four ships from various ages of sea travel negotiate the roiling waters, including two sailing ships and two steam-powered vessels. On the right side of the image a rocky point juts out into the water. On it stands a tall lighthouse that will, hopefully, guide the vessels to safe harbour. In an ornate frame derived from scrollwork appearing on the original 20-dollar note, the image is surmounted by the face value of '5 DOLLARS.'

Special Features:
- The first coin in the Royal Canadian Mint’s exciting new series featuring vignettes from historic Canadian banknotes.
- Celebrate the fine art of banknote design as it has evolved throughout the history of Canadian banking.
- A unique coin for collectors who love the history of numismatic and banknote artistry and design.
- An excellent gift or collectible for art aficionados and history buffs.
- Coin is accompanied with a graphic beauty box which features subtle elements from the original note.
- This coin features a highly detailed engraved design with various finishesused to createtexture and contrast on a brilliant background.

Product Specifications:
- Face Value: 5 dollars
- Mintage: 8,500
- Composition: 99.99% pure silver
- Weight (g): 23.17
- Diameter (mm): 36.07
- Edge: Serrated
- Finish: Proof
- Certificate: Serialized

Packaging:
- Coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell case lined with flock.
- Finished Packaging: 67 mm x 67 mm

Advertising Date: July 3, 2013
Launch Date: July 9, 2013