Canada: 2017 $20 Under The Sea: Sea Star Silver Coin

Canada: 2017 $20 Under The Sea: Sea Star Silver Coin

Finish: Proof

Mintage: 7500

Design: The coin showcases the colourful life found in the shallow waters off Canada’s coast. The application of bright coloured enamel over meticulous engraving recreates the otherworldly appearance of the grasses, corals and sponges in this intertidal zone. On the left, a handcrafted embellishment by Canadian glass artist Loïc Beaumont-Tremblay contains a sea star-shaped mosaic murrini element. The mosaic-based approach to this glass art technique lends itself well to recreating the colour and texture of the sea star’s spiny, calcified skin that provides it with a measure of protection against certain predators. The murrini piece is itself protected by the resilient glass enclosure sculpted from borosilicate glass.

Packaging: The coin is encapsulated and presented in a maroon Royal Canadian Mint clamshell case, it is protected by a black beauty box.