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30 Dollars - Elizabeth II Great White Shark
2018 yearRhodium plated silver (.9999) | 62.69 g | 50 mm |
Issuer | Canada |
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Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
Type | Non-circulating coin |
Year | 2018 |
Value | 30 Dollars 30 CAD = USD 22 |
Currency | Dollar (1858-date) |
Composition | Rhodium plated silver (.9999) |
Weight | 62.69 g |
Diameter | 50 mm |
Shape | Round |
Technique | Milled |
Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
Updated | 2024-10-04 |
Numista | N#152029 |
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Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
Shark in silver (blue rhodium background)
blue mackerel in background
Script: Latin
Lettering:
CANADA
ED
30 DOLLARS · 2018
Designer: Emily S. Damstra
Edge
Reeded
Comment
For years, the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) has carried in its wake the reputation of a beast to be feared, as evidenced by the countless films that perpetuate the cliché of the "predator of the deep" sowing terror in its wake. But beyond its fearsome jaws and reputation, we discover a fascinating species that is among the oldest forms of life on earth! Commonly associated with the southern seaboard, the great white shark enjoys a much wider habitat, extending northwards to Canada's Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Rarely caught and rarely observed, it is nonetheless the second largest fish living in Canadian waters. Its behavior is not always well understood, and its largely nomadic lifestyle only adds to its elusive aura. Myths and false beliefs abound about this solitary predator, whose aggressiveness and size often overshadow the role it plays in balancing the marine ecosystem.Special features
While we have previously used black rhodium plating on pieces (notably those in the splendid Nocturnal Animals series), this is the first to be plated with blue rhodium.
The coin bears a remarkably precise engraving of a notorious shark, the second largest fish living in Canadian waters.
Did you know?
Shark attacks are rarer than you might think. In fact, it's far more likely to be struck by lightning than to fall prey to a shark! In 2014, only three fatal attacks were reported worldwide; by comparison, humans kill an estimated 100 million sharks every year.
Every few years, a great white shark is reported in Canadian waters. The world's largest confirmed catch is a 6.1-metre female, captured in 1988 near Prince Edward Island.
Surprisingly, the great white shark is not the largest fish to live in Canadian waters! That title goes to the gentle basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), which can reach 15.2 meters and weigh 4 tons!
The great white shark is white only on its belly, the rest of its body being shades of grey and black. This coloration enables it to blend into its environment: seen from above, it blends into the ocean floor, and seen from below, into the sunlight.
Its hearing is excellent, and its sense of smell extraordinary.
The great white shark suffocates if it stops moving! Indeed, movement is what allows water to pass over its gills, oxygenating its blood.
This species of shark is decidedly solitary and independent: from birth, the young shark leaves its mother and fends for itself.
As the teeth it loses are constantly replaced by new ones, the great white shark produces around 3,000 teeth in the course of its life! When it bites, it projects its lower jaw forward while throwing its head back, sinking its sharp teeth into its prey before lowering its upper jaw.
Sharks have a sixth sense, electroreception, which enables them to detect electrical impulses created by muscle movement.
Packaging
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a burgundy double-shell case adorned with the Royal Canadian Mint logo. The case is accompanied by a black protective box.
Interesting fact
The interesting fact about this coin is that it features a unique rhodium plating, which gives it a distinctive white color that resembles the appearance of a great white shark. This design element was incorporated to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin, and to symbolize the strength and resilience of the great white shark.
Price
Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 3500 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 30 Dollars - Elizabeth II (Great White Shark) 2018 coin.