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2013 Isle of Man
KERMODE BEAR----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GORGEOUS STERLING SILVER PROOF COIN
Comes in Box with Certificate of Authenticity
Mintage limited to only 10000 coins!- 2013 Proof Sterling Silver crown
- Issued on behalf of the Isle of Man
- Issue: 10,000 only
- Unique presentation box and certificate
Description:
On behalf of the Isle of Man government, Pobjoy Mint is delighted to announce
the release of a new proof sterling silver crown featuring the Kermode Bear.
Named after Manx man Francis Kermode, former director of the Royal British Columbian Museum,
this unusual bear is also known as the ‘Spirit Bear’ thanks to its rare creamy white coloring.
The design on the IOM coin features an adult Kermode Bear sitting
near water with her two cubs. The coin has been struck four times to
create the famous Pobjoy Proof finish and all coins feature
frosted sculpting against a mirror brilliant background.
A unique coin to celebrate an unusual bear
The Kermode Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) is a subspecies
of the North American Black Bear, and one tenth of their population have
cream-colored coats. The color is due to a recessive gene and it
is not unusual for a black female to produce a white cub.
‘Spirit bears’ play an important role in the oral tradition of the Canadian
First Nations and American Indians. In a Kitasoo First Nations story, long
after Raven had descended from the heavens and created The Green
followed by the whole of creation, Raven was still not satisfied. He wanted
something to remind him of the glaciers, the Long White Time of before.
So he chose Bear, known as the keeper of dreams and memory to
aid him in this task. Raven found Black Bear in his constellation in the night
sky and made a pact. In return for a life of peace and safety Black Bear
agreed to let Raven turn one out of every ten Black Bears turn white
which was a reminder for Raven of the great ice age.
Today, the population of the Kermode Bear is estimated at 400 to 1,000
individuals. They range from Princess Royal Island to Prince Rupert, British
Columbia on the coast. It is thought that this unusual bear has survived
due to the oral traditions of the First Nations who see it as a sacred
part of their heritage and so have never hunted these animals.
The obverse of the coin features an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,
Lord of Mann, by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the
foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II has
appeared on all UK coinage since 1998 and the Pobjoy Mint has exclusive
use of the ‘uncouped’ effigy that appears on the obverse of these coins.
Only 10,000 proof sterling silver crowns have been struck and collectors
will receive their coin in a special presentation box complete with certificate.
Year
|
2013
|
Face Value
|
1 Crown
|
Metal
|
.925 Silver
|
Weight
|
28.28g
|
Size (mm)
|
38.6mm
|
Box/COA
|
Yes/Yes
|
| Mintage |
10000
|
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