2014 Lenticular Christmas Tree Commemorative Half Dollar

Part of the Lenticular Holiday Half Dollar Series.

The magic of the holidays often lies in the traditions that create some of our most treasured memories. And for many Canadians, the selection of a Christmas tree is as much of a time-honoured tradition as decorating one! This stylized lenticular coin follows one tree's journey from the outdoors to an indoor setting, where it plays a central role in one family's joyous holiday celebrations.

Design: This coin features a dual image which, based on the angle at which it is viewed from, alternates between two modern, stylized holiday images by Canadian artist Steve Hepburn. The first image makes use of the cool colours of blue and violet to set the tone for a wintery scene: soft snowflakes drifting down from the twinkling night sky onto the forest below. As the coin is angled, lenticular technology cleverly causes the images to switch. The tree occupies the same central position but in the second image, the viewer is transported indoors where the tree has now become one family's Christmas tree. The shining moon from the first image is replaced by the glowing star-shaped tree topper, as two young girls adorn the tree with the last few ornaments. The vibrant colours of red, green and yellow offer a visual representation of the warmth and energy that fill the air during the holiday season.