WINNIPEG, Jan. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Today at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the
Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a 99.99% fine gold collector coin with a
50-cent face value honouring Canadian Inuit Art.
"Canada has a proud history of Inuit art and this beautifully crafted
coin reveals the mystical connection the Inuit people share with nature
and the spirit world -a powerful image carved from an ancient and
enduring culture," said Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for
Winnipeg South. "Our Government would also like to congratulate the
Winnipeg Art Gallery on celebrating its centennial in 2012-13."
"The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to celebrate Canada's history, culture
and values with special collector coins," said Ian E. Bennett,
President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "This gold coin honours
Canadian Inuit art through an intricate design inspired by the original
carving of Inuit artist Joannassie Nowkawalk, Owl Shaman holding Goose,
part of the Winnipeg Art Gallery's world-class contemporary Inuit art
collection."
The coin's reverse design of the owl's round and compact shape conveys
the solid physique, adaptations and strength that are essential to
surviving in the Arctic while the captured goose reveals the owl's
prowess as a hunter.
"As Canada's first civic art gallery celebrating our centenary in
2012-13, we were honoured to open our Inuit collection, the largest
contemporary collection in the world, to the Royal Canadian Mint to
select the perfect sculpture to inspire this fine gold coin," said Dr.
Stephen Borys, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Limited to a world-wide mintage of 10,000 coins, this precious
collectible retails for $129.95 CAD and can be ordered by directly
contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada,
1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. It is also available at the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and
Vancouver as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and
distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the
minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO
9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the
largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of
specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an
international scale. For more information on the Mint's history, its
products and services, please visit www.mint.ca.
Images of the Owl Shaman holding Goose gold coin are available by
visiting ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint
