200 Dollars In the name of Elizabeth II; Knowledge and Interconnection

Reverse

Abalone shell inlay surrounded by engraved motifs in two rings: 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. Rings separated by intertwined cedar rope.

Script: Latin

Lettering: CS

Designer: Yahl ‘Aadas Cori Savard

Edge

Serrated

Comment

About
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 your 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.

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

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.

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