August Releases - Rc Mint

The previous coins were described on the RCM website as "painted over engraved" but the barn owl is not so described. Based on the pictures, it does look like just flat paint.

I hope that is NOT the case.

@shopaholic - There is a bit of texture to the Barn Owl when I turn the coin in the light but it looks "flatter" to me than the previous coins. The style of this coin reminds me of Ducks of Canada Mallard colourized quarter. I do prefer the look of the first 11 coins in the series. That being said, it is still a nice coin.

Coinhooked wrote:



True enough--for this and most other owls. My point was the bird is, for all practical intents and purposes, essentially not found in Canada. You live in the U.S. where they are quite widespread (except for some of the northernmost states). I have seen them in your country on several occasions. I've never seen one in Canada, in spite of living here. So a strange choice for a series on birds of *Canada*. Doesn't mean I dislike the coin--I plan to buy one this week or next. (Assuming it doesn't sell out first. heheheh)

Technically, yes, but only about 5% of BC, and less than 1% of Ontario.

Since you missed it, I am re-posting the range map:
http://eraptors.org/Maps/BrnOwlMP.jpg

Oh. OK, you thought the brown was the breeding area. Got it. I think the brown is where they do not occur at all. My interpretation is the breeding area is South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and points south of there. I think it's a problem of monitor color display and so I won't say anything more. (I'm sure everybody will be glad! LOL)

Thank you for adding the map again...it doesn't seem to include Vancouver Island...
Here is what I read on the Barn Owl
Tyto alba
There are dozens of members of the barn owl family in the world, but only one in North America. In Canada it is restricted to extreme southern Ontario, and in British Columbia it is found on southern Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Valley on the BC mainland.

Barn Owls are fascinating predators. They are almost strictly nocturnal, and enjoy extremely good vision. More remarkable, though is their hearing.

With ears placed asymmetrically in their skulls, they are able to pinpoint the location of the faintest sounds. Tests have shown that Barn Owls are able to pounce on prey in absolute darkness.

In British Columbia, these efficient hunters eat primarily Townsend's Voles (Microtus townsendii), with a few other items for variety. Historically, they nested in broken treetops, and on ledges and cliffs. In Europe and North America, though, they now nest almost exclusively in human structures.
Yes canada has lots of our owls that they could have chosen...but barn owls are so cool...I'm glad they did pick it for this new release

coinhooked, I forgive you. LOL (Especially since it's only an online nickname.)

I think the 1/2 oz horse is very nice. Although the Mint call it "speciment finish", the only part of the coin that is covered by these "finishes" is the obverse, and the border of the reverse. Thank you for sharing.