The Smilodon fatalis, commonly known as the sabre-toothed cat, is depicted in great detail on this 2 oz silver coin. Great clarity and high precision in this engraving make this wild cat look as though it's almost jumping out of the coin, ready for its next meal. With 9999 purity, the coin provides a unique and striking look to the start of the Royal Canadian Mint's new 2023 Ice Age series.

**COIN HIGHLIGHTS**

*Individual coins ship in plastic flip sleeves; Multiples of 14 will ship in a plastic tube *Consisting of 2 oz 9999 Fine Silver *Obverse: Features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Susanna Blunt along with the legal tender value *Reverse: Features a depiction of a fierce sabre-toothed cat along with the metal weight, purity, country and year of issue

Sabre-tooth cats lived in North and South America during the Ice Age, and although they have no direct descendants today, they share many similarities with the living species of big cats we know. Proof of their existence was confirmed in the millions of bones recovered in the La Brea tar pits of California, and scientists now know that the first appearance of the Smilodon came two million years ago.

The term "smilodon" itself translates to "scalpel tooth," a fitting description for this dangerous animal with canines up to 18 centimetres long. As a predator, the sabre-toothed cat mainly consumed camels, horses, giant ground sloths and other herbivores. These majestic cats became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene epoch, 11,700 years ago. This coin includes the RCM's new precision radial lines along with the micro-engraved maple leaf to maintain security and guarantee purity.

**ABOUT THE SERIES**

The Ice Age series, created by the Royal Canadian Mint, is a new addition to 2023 bullion coins, and the Smilodon Sabre-Toothed Cat Silver Coin is the first in the series to be released!

**ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT**

The Royal Canadian Mint is known as one of the most reputable mints in the world. The Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint opened in 1908 and was renamed The Royal Canadian Mint in 1931 when control was transferred to the Canadian government. The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for producing some of the highest quality and purity of gold and silver bullion coins and bars in the world. Their high standards for excellence and quality allowed them to be the first refinery to manufacture 9999 fine gold bullion coins in 1982, as well as the first to reach 99999 fine gold purity in 1999.