2023 Canada 50-cent Holiday Sledding Lenticular Coin

2023 Canada 50-cent Holiday Sledding Lenticular Coin

The squeals of children sledding down a hillside, the crunch of fresh snow underfoot – these are the sounds that we associate with the holiday season in Canada! Together with the breathtaking scenery, they bring to mind memories of seasons past and present, and the fun to be had whenever Canadians flock outside to take advantage of our very own winter wonderland — as depicted on this colourful lenticular keepsake, whose cheerful reverse will warm your heart.

The arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) is able to stand on its hind legs and hop around like a kangaroo, but if it senses danger, it will quickly bolt at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour! It runs faster than the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), which can run up to 40 kilometres per hour – but only for a short distance. And both of these animals are faster than us: the average running speed for a human is only about 8-9 kilometres per hour.

The coin’s colourful reverse features a scene enhanced with lenticular technology, which creates a sense of motion by interlacing two colour images. Designed by illustrator Darren Booth, both images capture the thrill of sledding – a popular winter activity in Canada – on a snowy winter night during the holiday season, as indicated by the decorated trees in the background. A polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and an arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) are friends in this light-hearted depiction; when viewed from a slightly different angle, the hare has hopped onto the bear’s sled to join in the fun as they slide down the hill. The obverse features the effigy of 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.

Specifications:
Item Number: 243951
Mintage: 30,000
Composition: Nickel-plated steel
Weight: 12.3 g
Diameter: 35 mm
Face Value: 50 cents
Finish: Specimen
Edge: Plain
Artist: Darren Booth (reverse), Susannah Blunt (obverse)

Special Features:
• A heartwarming winter scene. Bring some holiday fun and magic into your collection with this cheery collectible. Its colourful reverse will warm your heart!
• Whimsical and endearing. Fun holiday traditions and seasonal activities are the stuff of childhood memories, and this coin’s colourful design is a celebration of that.
• Motion-filled reverse. The scene features lenticular technology that allows for the seamless transition between two interlaced images to create a sense of uninterrupted motion: tip the coin to change your viewing angle and send this pair sliding down the hill!
• One of the Royal Canadian Mint's most affordable coins! This holiday-themed coin was made for sharing and cherishing.
• Your 2023 holiday keepsake. This fun-for-all-ages coin makes a great gift or stocking stuffer that will serve as a long-lasting reminder of happy holiday memories and special moments.

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