Marking an end to the successful Canadian Wildlife series is the new 2013 Canadian Wood Bison Silver Bullion Coin.
Officially unveiled by the Royal Canadian Mint earlier this month at the World Money Fair in Berlin, the last issue in the six-coin series features a Wood bison galloping through the countryside.
"The Mint has been delighted by consistent customer enthusiasm for our Silver Wildlife bullion coin series and while it is ending with a sixth and final coin" said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "We look forward to continue introducing variety to the bullion market and to building interest in our industry-leading products."
Like past issues in the Canadian Wildlife series, the Wood bison coin is minted to one ounce of 99.99% pure silver, has a diameter of 38.00 mm and a thickness of 3.29 mm. And also like previous coins, its mintage is limited to 1,000,000.
Canadian artist Emily Damstra designed the coin’s reverse image of the Wood bison in its native woodland habitat. Inscriptions include CANADA, 9999, FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR and Damstra’s initials of ED.
Found on the obverse is Susan Blunt’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Inscriptions include ELIZABETH II, 5 DOLLARS, and 2013.
Wood bison are known for their wooly coats, horns, large heads and large size with males weighing over 900 kilograms (2,000 pounds). Once numbered to several hundred thousand, Canadian Wood bison were nearly extinct by the early 1900’s as a result of over hunting and human encroachment. Conservation efforts are credited in reviving their population with more than 10,000 now in the wild.
Previous releases in the Canadian Wildlife series include:
- 2011 Canadian Wolf Silver Bullion Coin
- 2011 Canadian Grizzly Silver Bullion Coin
- 2012 Canadian Cougar Silver Bullion Coin
- 2012 Canadian Moose Silver Bullion Coin
- 2013 Canadian Pronghorn Antelope Silver Bullion Coin
As a bullion product, the Royal Canadian Mint will not sell Canadian Wood Bison Silver Bullion Coins directly to the public. Instead, they are distributed through a worldwide network of approved dealers and sold like Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins for a small premium over their melt value.
