25 Dollars - Elizabeth II Bison

Reverse

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.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
CANADA
DW
2021

Engraver: Eric Boyer

Designer: Derek C. Wicks

Edge

Serrated

Comment

Exceptional relief for a design exceptionally rich in detail. The successor to our first coin with exceptional relief and a numismatic proof finish, this 99.99% pure silver collector's item is a sculptural work of art that captures the imagination. On the reverse, the beast's head rises more than 6 mm above the coin's mirrored surface - more than four times higher than a very high relief engraving on a coin of the same size! Reproduced in three dimensions, the features of the imposing bison are unmistakably eye-catching - while the high-gloss finish illuminates every detail, creating a striking visual effect.

The bison's thick, shaggy coat was the perfect starting point for a piece of exceptional relief. The various textures and orientations of the hair offered a stimulating artistic challenge, and the final result is highly inspiring.

DEREK C. WICKS, ARTIST

Part patterns are usually modeled in bas-relief, but for this bison head, I was able to create a complete 3D model right from the start. I worked with the engineer and the product manager to determine the optimal angle of representation, one that would emphasize the height of the relief so that the bison would appear to be practically leaping out of the piece. In the end, we opted for a three-quarter view which, combined with the exceptional relief, best conveyed the bison's imposing stature while emphasizing its features.

ERIC BOYER, 3D ARTIST/ENGRAVER

The bison is Canada's largest and heaviest land animal. Male bison can reach two meters in height and weigh over a ton.

Its hump is not made of fat: it's all muscle, supported by vertebrae. This protuberance comes in handy in winter, when the animal uses its head (and hump) to clear snow from its path.

The coin is encapsulated and presented in a double-shell case featuring the Royal Canadian Mint logo. The case comes with a black protective box.

Interesting fact

Price

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 25 Dollars - Elizabeth II (Bison) 2021 coin.