2008 Canada $350 Purple Saxifrage Pure Gold Coin(TAX Exempt)

2008 Canada $350 Purple Saxifrage Pure Gold Coin(TAX Exempt)

At first glance, the harsh Arctic tundra may seem barren, but every spring, one of the world's great botanical beauties makes a stunning, yet short-lived appearance there. It is the purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia), also known as French-knot moss or aupilaktunnguat in Inuktitut, the aboriginal language of Nunavut, Canada's youngest territory that adopted this flower as its floral emblem on May 1, 2000.

Without its blooms, the purple saxifrage looks decidedly unkempt; one would hardly guess this brownish mat growing in the dust could ever produce such gorgeous star-shaped flowers. But it does and every year, a great carpet of purple blooms will cover exposed ridges and hilltops as if to defy the northern bleakness.

Each blossom is only 1 cm (.5 in) wide but looks large against the tiny (3-6 mm or .1-.2 in) pairs of overlapping grey green leaves that appear scale-like. Unfortunately, few people get to see this northern beauty at its best; by the time the weather is warm enough to attract tourists, its purple blooms are long gone.

Specifications:
Face Value: 350 dollars
Mintage: 1,400
Composition: 99.999% gold
Weight (g): 35
Diameter (mm): 34
Edge: Serrated
Finish: Proof
Certificate: Serialized

Special Features:
This is the eleventh in a series of provincial flowers that started in 1998. Crafted in 99.999% pure gold, hand polished to proof perfection and struck to mintage of only 1,400 coins worldwide.

Packaging:
Coin encapsulated and presented in a maroon clamshell case lined with flock and protected by a black sleeve.