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2023 $200 Celebrating Canada's Diversity: Knowledge and Interconnection Pure Gold (No Tax)
For the Haida, knowledge is power, and the most vital knowledge—the beliefs, experiences and traditions of their people—is passed down from generation to generation, as represented on this 99.99% pure gold coin. The interconnectedness of all living things, or gina ‘waadluxan gud ad kwaagid (everything depends on everything else), is fundamental to the Haida worldview, and that guiding principle is reflected in your coin’s reverse design, where the cedar rope binds the generations (the outer and inner rings) together, and the ocean-coloured abalone shell honours the traditional lifeways of Haida Gwaii.
An organic gem, abalone shell has long served as a symbol of the ocean, of light, and of life itself. The shell belongs to a marine mollusk that is a traditional food for the Haida, who would harvest abalone using a kíit’úu—a two-pronged spear with sharpened branches that were tied to a long cedar pole.
While the varied colours of the shell’s exterior may reflect the mollusk’s seaweed diet, its iridescent inner layer (nacre) has long been used as decoration on Haida ceremonial dress and artwork.
The cedar rope on the coin’s reverse is a nod to cedar’s integral role in Haida culture and beliefs, and its use in the production of material goods for both everyday use and ceremonial purposes—from hats and other pieces of clothing, to tools, baskets, canoes, longhouses, and so much more.
The reverse design by Haida artist Yahl ‘Aadas Cori Savard features an abalone shell inlay surrounded by engraved motifs that honour Haida beliefs and values. The ovoid and U shapes on the outer ring represent the eyes of the Haida Elders and knowledge holders who watch over the younger generations, represented by the inner ring. The repetitive patterns flow into one another, as knowledge is passed down from one generation to the next, while the intertwined cedar rope further reinforces this notion of interconnection—of generations, of land and sea. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.
Specifications:
Item Number: 206449
Mintage: 275
Composition: 99.99% pure gold with abalone shell
Weight: 31.16 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Face Value: $200
Finish: Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Yahl 'Aadas Cori Savard (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)
Special Features:
• Honouring Haida culture! Expertly crafted, this 99.99% pure gold coin proudly pays tribute to the rich artistic heritage and traditional knowledge of the Haida.
• Coin #4! This is the fourth coin in an annual series that highlights the cultural and historical diversity of Canadian society.
• Iridescent abalone shell. With its swirling blues and greens that call to mind the colours of the Pacific Ocean, the coin’s abalone shell centrepiece is an organic gem that symbolizes the Haida people’s deep connection with the sea.
• A one-of-a-kind piece! Each coin is adorned with a unique abalone shell that has been responsibly sourced. Since no two shells look the same, the coin is truly a one-of-a-kind collectible.
• A dazzling art tribute! The engraved design features rounded form lines, ovoid and U shapes that are characteristic of Haida art. These deeply symbolic motifs form a circle with no end or beginning on your coin, and the different elements all flow into one another to form a powerful expression of Haida culture and lifeways.
• A rare collector piece! Only 275 coins are available worldwide.
Packaging:
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a graphic beauty box.
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