Celebrate Haida culture, people and traditions with this abalone shell-adorned 99.99% pure gold coin.

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 the 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.

Coin #4 is an abalone shell-adorned expression of Haida culture.

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. Fourth coin in an annual series that highlights the cultural and historical diversity of Canadian society.
• A rare collector piece. Only 275 coins are available worldwide.
• Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

IRIDESCENT ABALONE SHELL

With its swirling blues and greens that call to mind the colours of the Pacific Ocean, your coin’s abalone shell centrepiece is an organic gem that symbolizes the Haida people’s deep connection with the sea.

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 the coin, and the different elements all flow into one another to form a powerful expression of Haida culture and lifeways.

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, this coin is truly a one-of-a-kind collectible.

DID YOU KNOW?

• 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 your 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.

DESIGN & ARTIST

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.

"Although circular designs are common within Haida art, repetitive patterns are not. The challenge for me was to create a pattern using formline that would represent the Haida Nation, without depicting any crests that belong to any one clan—this way, everyone is included. The abalone shell was the clear choice for the inlay as it is traditionally used to adorn Haida art; it also added to the theme of interconnection, by representing our ties to the ocean that surrounds Haida Gwaii." THE ARTIST: YAHL ‘AADAS CORI SAVARD

Haida have lived through thousands of years of changing landscapes. We have been people of the tundra, people of the ice. For over 10,000 years we have been ocean people. No matter our environment, we have always been Haida. This masterful coin pays great respect to our homeland, values and lifeways of yesterday and today. It pays homage to our Elders, children and future generations. It is a precious reminder of our inextricable relationship with, and responsibility to, our home and each other. And, it’s gorgeous! THE EXPERT: JISGANG NIKA COLLISON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAIDA GWAII MUSEUM

PACKAGING

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a graphic beauty box.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT

The Royal Canadian Mint is known as one of the most reputable mints in the world. The Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint opened in 1908 and was renamed The Royal Canadian Mint in 1931 when control was transferred to the Canadian government. The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for producing some of the highest quality and purity of gold and silver bullion coins and bars in the world. Their high standards for excellence and quality allowed them to be the first refinery to manufacture 9999 fine gold bullion coins in 1982, as well as the first to reach 99999 fine gold purity in 1998.