In Stock and Ready for Immediate Shipment!
Long SOLD OUT at the Royal Canadian Mint!
An industrious bumblebee rests on
a vibrantly colored aster on this oversized, crown-size color quarter!
The
North American species of
Aster are flowering perennial herbs usually bearing striking blue,
mauve, pink, or white flowers. These lovely plants share an important
symbiosis with bumblebees: the bees are one of the asters’
key
pollinators and for many bumble bees, aster pollen is a major food
source. Asters are also easy to grow and thus a great choice for
American and Canadian gardeners. This oversized, full color quarter
brilliantly captures the relationship between insect and flower!
The Bumblebee, Nature's Canny
Cultivator
It is one of summer’s iconic moments: a buzzing
black-and-yellow
bumblebee plods heavily from delicate bloom to delicate bloom. A
subgroup of the roughly 730 described species of bees (Apoidea: Anthophila) in
Canada, bumble bees (genus Bombus),
native to the Americas as well as Europe, Asia, and North Africa, are
important pollinators crucial to the ongoing survival of many flowering
plants.
Bumble bees in particular engage in a practice known as “buzz
pollination,” where, clutching a flower’s stamen
with their
jaws, they rapidly vibrate their wing muscles, loosening and scattering
pollen.
Bumble bees are among the most resilient types of bees and prefer
temperate climates. Because they are generalists, gathering nectar and
pollen from a wide variety of flowers (up to 20 flowers per minute), it
is somewhat easier for them to survive environmental changes.
Nevertheless, like many bees, they are threatened by factors such as
habitat loss, parasites, and pathogens. Luckily, anyone can help to
support and attract bumble and other bee populations by planting a
variety of native flowering plants.
Technology Note
The RCM
leads the
world
with its proprietary colorization technology, in which the color is
actually sealed on the coin. The intricate detail, smooth gradients,
and extreme precision of the technology create a stunning, full-color
portrait on each coin.
The Specimen Finish
This coin features the uniquely-Canadian "specimen" finish, a
three-fold combination of different finishes. The design (raised area
or relief) includes both frosted and mirrored surfaces, while the
fields (background) are subtly striated, resulting in a contrasting,
matte appearance. No other mint in the world employs the specimen
finish.
Obverse
A bumblebee rests on an aster flower blossom, both rendered in vibrant
color by the
Royal Canadian Mint's proprietary colorization technology. The date of
issue and denomination are both indicated.
Reverse
Her Majesty,
Queen
Elizabeth II, in profile facing right.
This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian
Coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend
ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA
("Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God") also appears.
Packaging
The coin is encapsulated
inside a
burgundy leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with
black velvet and protected by a black outer sleeve. An
individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.
Specifications
Country |
Canada |
Year
of Issue |
2012 |
|
|
Face
Value |
25
Cents |
Weight |
12.61
g |
Diameter |
35
mm |
Mintage Limit |
20,000 |
|
|
Finish |
Specimen
with Color |
Composition |
Copper
Nickel |
Edge |
Plain |
|
|
Artist |
Maurice Gervais |
Certificate |
Individually Numbered |
Copyright © 2022 Talisman World Coins and Medals. All Rights
Reserved.