2012 25-cent Birds of Canada - Evening Grosbeak

2012 25-cent Birds of Canada - Evening Grosbeak

Coccothraustes vespertinus is a talkative bird of bright golden plumage with a fascinating ability to camouflage itself among the deciduous and coniferous trees in which it makes its home. A helpful devourer of budworms whose range spans the entire continent, the Evening Grosbeak is a noted and well-loved bird that still harbours many mysteries.

This painted cupronickel coin has a diameter of 35 millimetres. The reverse design by Canadian Artist Arnold Nogy features an Evening Grosbeak perched happily on a red-leafed, snow-lined sumac bough. The bird's spectacular golden body and banded head with a velveteen brown crown and neck and black tail and wing feathers are viewed from slightly above and behind the right side of the Grosbeak's back. Its small, round body sits atop a wintery bough of red sumac leaves dusted with snow. A sumac stem rises behind the bird, its bare branches also lined with snow. Bird, branches, and leaves are framed to picturesque effect within the coin's framed and polished silver ground. The reverse features the word 'CANADA,' the date '2012,' and the face value of '25 CENTS.' The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Specifications:
Item number: 118003
Face Value: 25 cents
Mintage: 20,000
Composition: Cupronickel
Diameter (mm): 35
Edge: Plain
Finish: Specimen with colour

Special Features:
- Coin number 10 in a series featuring the colourful birds of Canada.
- Highly collectable on the secondary market.
- This coloured and engraved coin showcases a golden-plumed male Evening Grosbeak perched delicately on a snow-dusted branch of red sumac leaves.
- Full colour image of the Evening Grosbeak is printed on the Certificate of Authenticity.

Packaging:
Coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell case lined with black flock and protected by a black sleeve.