The Royal Canadian Mint issued this week a new collector coin crafted entirely of Nunavut-sourced gold to celebrate the Arctic territory’s 20th anniversary.
The 2019 $20 pure gold 1/10 oz. coin – 20th Anniversary of Nunavut has a limited mintage of 1,500 and retails for $359.95
The yellow metal was obtained from Agnico Eagle’s Meadowbank mine near Baker Lake, and TMAC Resources’ mine at Hope Bay.
In a press release, the Mint said the coin recaptures, in 99.99% pure gold, Germaine Arnaktauyok’s iconic drummer design that first appeared on the $2 circulation coin celebrating of Nunavut’s creation in 1999.
The 1/10 oz. gold token is struck on a thin, yet wide blank that makes its Arctic-themed reverse design shiny. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
“The Mint is passionate about honouring Canadian talent and celebrating our exceptional cultural diversity through beautifully crafted coins,” Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint, said in a media statement. “We are proud to honour Germaine Arnaktauyok’s artistic legacy, in pure Nunavut gold, to wish the people of this important territory a happy 20th anniversary.”