2017 $50 Monarch Migration - Pure Silver Coloured Coin

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This 2017 large low mintage $50 pure silver coin captures the colourfully patterned wings of a monarch butterfly. The wings are not as delicate as they appear, for the intrepid mon arch is a strong flier and a migratory marvel. This coin is a soaring tribute to Canada’s most well-known butterfly, whose multi-generational journey further cements its status as a ‘regal’ symbol of hope and transformation. This unusual and visually striking coin weighs three ounces of pure silver with a large 55 mm diameter, and has a limited mintage of just 3,500 pieces. As a pure silver coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is HST/GST exempt. The Design: The reverse design by Canadian artist Graham Spaull aptly captures the enchanting beauty of a beloved summer resident of Canada, whose epic migration is perhaps unrivalled in the insect world. Resplendent in full colour, the monarch butterfly displays its orange-and-black wings as it approaches a patch of milkweeds. The tall, leafy stems are engraved in fine detail to represent an important part of the story: the milkweed is the monarch’s host plant. It is essential to sustaining monarch populations, since the butterfly deposits its eggs on the leaves that will exclusively sustain the larvae (caterpillar). The reverse includes the face value “50 DOLLARS” and the year “2017”. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The Migration: Monarch butterflies perform annual migrations across North America which have been called "one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world". Starting in September and October, eastern and northeastern populations migrate from southern Canada to overwintering sites in central Mexico where they arrive around November. They start the return trip in March, arriving around July. No individual butterfly completes the entire round trip; female monarchs lay eggs for the next generation during the northward migration and at least four generations are involved in the annual cycle. Similarly, the western populations migrate annually between regions west of the Rocky Mountains including northern Canada and overwintering sites at the coast of California. Show more