2021 Bison Silver Coin | Royal Canadian Mint

One of the Royal Canadian Mint's (RCM) most detailed bison portraits yet – order today!

Extraordinarily high relief, extraordinarily detailed! The follow-up to RCM's first Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) coin minted in a proof finish, this 99.99% pure silver collectible is a sculpted work of art that leaves a lasting impression. Its reverse features a wildlife portrait that rises up from the coin’s mirror-like surface to reach a height of over 6 mm – over four times higher than an Ultra High Relief (UHR) coin of the same diameter! Rendered here in three-dimensional form, the bison’s imposing features instantly command attention – especially against a high-shine finish that illuminates the depth of detail for maximum visual impact.

Simply STUNNING, this is the perfect fusion of modern technology and classic Canadiana. Order your EHR coin today!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS

• RCM's NEWEST EHR COIN WITH A PROOF FINISH! The follow-up to 2020’s Proud Bald Eagle coin, this wildlife portrait features Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) engraving that elevates the art to breathtaking effect.
• OVER 6 MM OF HEIGHT! On your coin’s reverse, the engraved relief soars to a height of over 6 mm! It’s an incredible feat of engineering, especially when you consider that Ultra High Relief coins of the same diameter typically reach only 1.4 mm of height.
• HIGH RELIEF, HIGH SHINE! The incomparable shine of a mirror-like finish illuminates all the intricately sculpted details that add realism to the art.
• A LIMITED-EDITION WORK OF ART! Mintage is limited to just 5,000 coins worldwide. Given that the previous EHR coin sold out quickly, this 99.99% pure silver collectible will likely be in high demand, too. Order yours today!
• A PROUD PORTRAIT OF THE BISON! One of RCM's most intricately detailed portraits of the bison yet! From start to finish, this EHR coin is designed to leave a lasting impression and it’s a fitting tribute to the titan of the Canadian prairies.
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE! The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.
• NO GST/HST

DESIGN

On your coin’s reverse, Canadian artist Derek C. Wicks has created a striking three-quarter portrait of a bison that has a solemn expression as it gazes towards the right. Its unique features – the upturned horns, the muscled hump behind the shoulder – and the textural variations of its fur are all accentuated by the extraordinary high relief, which allows for a greater depth of engraved details. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

“The bison’s thick, rugged coat provided the perfect starting point for creating an extraordinarily high relief coin. With its many textural and directional changes, not only was it a welcome challenge to re-create, but it made for a very inspirational end result.” Derek C. Wicks, Artist

“Coin designs are traditionally modelled in bas relief, but for this one, I got to model the bison’s head in full 3D, right from the start. I worked with the Engineer and the Product Manager to determine the optimal viewing angle, one that plays up the relief height so that the bison practically pops off the coin. Ultimately, we chose a three-quarter view that, coupled with extraordinarily high relief, best conveys the bison’s enormous size while focusing in on its features.” Eric Boyer, 3D Artist/Engraver

DID YOU KNOW?

• The bison is the largest and heaviest land animal in Canada. A male or bull stands tall at 2 metres high and can weigh more than a tonne!
• Its hump isn’t composed of fat – it’s all muscle, supported by vertebrae. That hump comes in handy in the winter, when the bison uses its head (and hump) to push snow out of its way.

PACKAGING

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black 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. 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.