Danger! A beaver spies a wolf and warns others

$50 for $50 fine silver coin – Beaver (2015) – designed by Emily S. Damstra

The Royal Canadian Mint is now shipping this silver coin bearing my illustration of a beaver about to slap the water with its tail to warn other beavers in the colony of potential danger. Beavers do this when they detect the sound or the scent of a potential predator, such as a bobcat, a human, or in this case, the wolf standing on the shore in the background. This warning will prompt other beavers to seek the shelter of the pond.

A clearer, nicer image may be seen at the Mint’s website here.

This coin comes in a folded cardstock “package” bearing an image of the coin’s reverse on the front:

package front – $50 for $50 fine silver Beaver (2015)

And on the inside, my original drawing:

package inside – $50 for $50 fine silver Beaver (2015)

The Mint’s talented engravers used this illustration to make the coin. The drawing of trees and branches that surrounds my coin illustration was done by someone else; unfortunately the packaging does not identify that artist.

Someone recently asked me what my favorite coin is (that I’ve designed), and I replied that my three favorites include this beaver, about to slap its tail. (The other two favorites are here and here).