2014 Harlequin Duck Colored Commemorative Quarter

Part of the Ducks of Canada Quarter Series.

This beautiful full-colour cupronickel coin features the Harlequin duck—the “fancy lord and lady” of Canada's east and west coasts. Named for the male's bright colouring, which resembles the clothing of the zany Harlequin character of traditional Italian commedia dell'arte, this pretty little duck is a strong swimmer with a distinctive mouse-like squeal. It winters on the rocky, isolated shores of Canada's east and west coasts, moving inland to fast-moving fresh-water streams for breeding season from May to September.

Design: This coin features a pair of Harlequin ducks standing on rocks in a fast-moving stream. Presented in profile, the brightly coloured male takes center stage, its characteristic blue and russet plumage marked with bright white lines and spots outlined in black. The white dot behind its eye and white colouring above its dark bill are shared by the female, who stands behind him on the left side of the image. Her light brown-grey body faces the viewer and her face is presented in profile, to highlight her facial markings. Both stand with their strong webbed feet spread sturdily atop small rocks covered with moss that jut from the freshwater rapids of their summer breeding habitat. The rapids rise behind the ducks, far into the background, lending the scene a dynamic feel. As with the other coins in this series, portions of the image extend past the inner frame of the reverse, giving the image a unique three-dimensional appearance.