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2024 $20 This is Canada: Wondrous Waters - Arctic Coast Fine Silver (No Tax)
The second Wondrous Waters coin invites you to head due north.
Canada’s coastline is the longest in the world and two-thirds of it lies in the Arctic. Most of this coastline wraps around the many islands that lie near the top of the world, such as Baffin Island and the Queen Elizabeth Islands. Nowhere is the connection between land and sea more evident than along our vast northern coast, where life follows the seasonal cycle of sea ice—a critical habitat for polar bears, seals and more. As represented on the Royal Canadian Mint’s second This Is Canada: Wondrous Waters coin, the Arctic coast is teeming with hidden wonders and endless beauty—from iconic wildlife to the tundra landscape that comes alive each summer, and the cultural ways that have left a deep imprint on Canada’s northern identity.
Coin #2: This is our Arctic coast. This is Canada.
While the Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world’s oceans, Canada’s Arctic and northern region is incredibly vast—it represents nearly 40 percent of this country’s total landmass and freshwater.
Berry picking and gathering wild plants is an important cultural activity in Inuit Nunangat, especially in late summer and fall. Arctic cranberries, blueberries, cloudberries and crowberries are some of the most commonly picked varieties.
Canada’s Arctic is home to beluga whales and narwhals, as well as two-thirds of the world’s polar bear population.
The coin’s reverse presents an artistic representation of Canada’s Arctic coast. Designed by Inuvialuit artist Myrna Pokiak and inspired by the artist’s experiences, the moonlit scene features a berry picker to represent traditional foods and harvest activities on land, where the flat tundra is punctuated by a pingo. A snowy owl has taken flight and the tail of a beluga whale appears in the water that lines the shore, which is marked by caribou tracks and those of a polar bear. The beach is also lined with driftwood carried to the Arctic coast by rivers and ocean currents, making it a symbol of interconnectedness. Compass elements form a frame that contains the word “CANADA” and a face value of “20 DOLLARS”. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Specifications:
RCM Number: 244794
Mintage: 7,500
Composition: 99.99% pure silver
Weight: 31.39 g
Diameter: 38 mm
Face Value: $20
Finish: Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Myrna Pokiak (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse)
Special Features:
- Canada in all its splendour. A new annual series, This Is Canada brings you some of the wonders and wildlife that are synonymous with this country. This is Canada—in the hearts and minds of Canadians, and in the eyes of the world.
- The trip begins in 2024. A different theme is featured each year! In 2024, the theme is Wondrous Waters and there are four coins to collect. Complete the set!
- From shore to shore. This snapshot of the Arctic is the second of four Wondrous Waters coins issued in 2024, with each piece featuring a different view of the bodies of water that surround Canada:
- Coin 1: Pacific Coast
- Coin 2: Arctic Coast
- Coin 3: Atlantic Coast
- Coin 4: Great Lakes
- Classic Canadiana. A fun series for all ages, this coin-by-coin trip across Canada represents more than an armchair travel experience—it’s a year-long adventure in collecting!
- Regional art. Crafted in 99.99% pure silver, each coin features a reverse design by a regional artist.
- A guiding compass. The compass frame appears on every coin in this Wondrous Waters series. It is a symbol of curiosity, discovery and exploration. It’s also a visual reminder of just how vast Canada is!
Packaging:
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a graphic beauty box.
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