Commems Collection Canadian: 2016 Baronial Bald Eagle Silver $20

Here's another piece from my self-defined collection of "Bald Eagle in Its Natural Habitat" coins - Canada's 2016 Baronial Bald Eagle.

The coin was part of a five-coin "Majestic Animals" series that was available via subscription or individually. The other coins in the set were: Regal Red-Tailed Hawk, Commanding Canadian Lynx, Benevolent Bison and Bold Black Bear. The individual coin had a stated maximum mintage of 6,500 - the subscription had the same maximum. (My understanding is that 6,500 represented the maximum mintage for the coin and that it was to be distributed between individual and subscription sales based on sales vs. 6,500 coins for each option.) The final sales total/net mintage for the coin was 5,545.

The design on the coin's reverse presents a Bald Eagle as it lands on a barren limb at the top of a tree; the eagle and limb are colourized for emphasis. In the engraved background is seen a second Bald Eagle, already perched on the same tree. The design was created by Canadian artist Glen Loates (his "GL" initials can be seen at the 8:30 clock position, near the rim. Mr. Loates specializes in wildlife-in-nature paintings. To learn more about Mr. Loates, I recommend visiting his web site at: https://www.glenloates.com.

Regarding the design, from the Mint's web site:

Viewed from the right, the bird of prey's enormous wingspan is magnificently displayed as the eagle slows its approach. Its head is curved forward, its hooked beak partially open to release a cry as it flexes its sharp talons and grips the branch that will serve as its perch. Selective colour captures the remarkable contrasts between the eagle's dark brown body, the bright white feathers of its head and tail, and the vivid yellow of its eyes, beak and legs. Its gaze is intense, almost stern, which adds to the eagle's commanding presence and the sense of its regal authority in this setting. To the left, an intricately engraved bald eagle is perched on a separate branch of the same tree, its head turned to observe its companion's arrival. Towering clouds and soaring mountain peaks provide a fitting majestic backdrop to this scene, easily dwarfing the trees that line the tranquil waters of the lake below.

On its obverse, the coin features the Susanna Blunt portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

Back in 1982, as the United States marked the 200th anniversary of its adoption of the Bald Eagle as a National Symbol, Glen Loates traveled to Washington, DC to meet with US President Ronald Reagan and present to him, for the American people, his The Bald Eagle painting as an official gift of friendship between the US and Canada. The Canadian Ambassador to the US, Allan Gotlieb, accompanied Loates at the presentation. The original watercolor painting (in its frame) measures an impressive 50" x 60" and, to my eyes, is a precursor influence to the design Loates created 20+ years later for the silver coin.

Glen Loates Painting Presentation - The Bald Eagle

(Image Credit: Featured on https://www.glenloates.com. Fair use.)

The Proof one-ounce 0.9999 fine silver coin has a denomination of $20. It weighs 31.39 grams and has a diameter of 38 millimeters; the coin's edge is serrated/reeded. The issue price for the coin was $99.95 (CAD)

I only purchased the Baronial Bald Eagle coin from the "Majestic Animals" series. IMO, however, the Mint did a nice job with each of the series' coins.

Note: The word "Baronial" does not indicate a sub-species of Bald Eagle. It was used by the Mint as an adjective to add a "regal flair" to the description of the majestic bird.

2016 Baronial Bald Eagle - $20 Silver Coin


2016 Baronial Bald Eagle - $20 Silver Coin - Beauty Box / Full-colour Front Panel



For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more on Canadian commemorative pieces, see: Commems Collection.