200 Dollars - Elizabeth II Light and Prosperity

Reverse

Lotus with eight primary petals, viewed from an overhead, surrounding a ruby. Reverse encompassed by repeating pattern of two engraved circles. Between two intertwined cord patterns (a symbol of the ties that bind) are other petal shapes, which bear leaf and curled fern motifs. The outer circle celebrates Canada’s multiculturalism through a mix of emblems: trillium and dogwood flowers, and the maple leaf.

Script: Latin

Lettering: FF

Designer: Frances Ferdinands

Edge

Serrated

Comment

About
This luminous gold coin is an artistic expression of pride in Canada's inclusive spirit that radiates outward, and in the diversity that drives our innovation and prosperity. Stunning and strongly symbolic, the engraved line art is inspired by Sinhala and Indian art—part of a world of cultural traditions that are perfectly at home in Canada. But its crowningglory is the .95 ct natural Madagascar ruby at the centre of the lotus-shaped pattern. The crimson red cabochon gemstone adds a red flush to the design, which mixes cultural emblems such as trillium and dogwood flowers, and the maple leaf that stands for diversity.

Design
Designed by visual artist Frances Ferdinands, your coin was inspired by the patterns of Sinhala and Indian art and features the lotus, a near-universal symbol of purity, beauty, and prosperity. Viewed from an overhead perspective, the flower’s eight primary petals are open to the world and reach out in all directions, like Canada’s spirit. At the centre is a .95 ct natural Madagascar ruby, which radiates a crimson red light from within—an idea reinforced by the repeating pattern of engraved circles. Between two intertwined cord patterns (a symbol of the ties that bind) are other petal shapes, which bear leaf and curled fern motifs. The outer circle celebrates Canada’s multiculturalism through a mix of emblems: trillium and dogwood flowers, and the maple leaf.

The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Did you know?
The highly valued ruby is one of the toughest gemstones around. It is a 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, second only to the diamond (a perfect 10 due to its scratch resistance).

In Sanskrit, a ruby is known as ratnaraj—king of precious stones.

The lotus blooms in murky waters, which makes it a symbol of purity, re-birth, and prosperity.

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