2020 Canada 2 oz Silver Coin - R&D Lab Specimen: Flying Loon

Description: The latest innovation from the Mint's R&D lab raises the bar when it comes to dimensional design and allows the engraved focal point to reach new heights—literally. Introducing Lifted Engraving, a numismatic first that makes its world debut on this limited-edition prototype. The groundbreaking technology is a 3D approach to 2D coin art. It allows us to highlight a key design element by raising it above the engraved surface of the coin. To demonstrate its full potential, the never-before-seen technique has been applied to this 2020 pure silver version of the 1997 Flying Loon dollar. The loon you see lifting up from the coin’s surface is not an embellishment—it’s part of the coin. And so is the integrated hinge, which provides just the right amount of lift for our loon, and our new technology, to take flight on this prototype. How does it work?It’s all crafted from a single 99.99% pure silver blank and using the same minting process as a standard coin. The development of a new type of die makes it possible to strike the world’s first integrated hinge directly onto the coin’s surface. After deliberately cutting into the coin, the key relief (the loon) is then separated from the rest of the design using proprietary methods that “peel” away the field. And with both ends of the hinge coming together, the key relief is now in position to come out of the coin and greet the viewer.Add a numismatic first that makes its world debut on this limited-edition prototype to your collection today. Special features:YOUR EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK! This is a rare opportunity to own a prototype coin featuring the latest groundbreaking innovation from the Royal Canadian Mint’s R&D researchers.A WORLD FIRST! Our new Enhanced elevation technique allows the focal point of the design to reach new heights thanks to the world’s first integrated hinge, which raises the relief above the coin’s surface.VERY LOW MINTAGE! Crafted from 2 oz. 99.99% pure silver, this coin is part of the initial test run for our new technology, and that’s why the mintage is so low.SPECIAL PACKAGING! Your prototypecoin comes packaged in an exclusive R&D Lab wooden box with a special certificate to explain the technology.A NEW LOOK, AN OLD FAVOURITE! This flying loon first appeared in 1997. Here, the new technology adds an extra dimension to the art by providing more lift for the loon during take-off.A POPULAR COLLECTIBLE! Previous From the R&D Lab coins sold out quicklyDesign:The reverse is a reproduction of the 1997 Flying Loon $1 coin design by Canadian artist Jean-Luc Grondin. Enhanced with Lifted Engraving, the loon has been smoothly cut away from its engraved lake setting and elevated above the coin’s surface with the help of an integrated hinge. The obverse features the repeating R&D Lab logo as a tiled background behind the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.“It’s exciting to collaborate with the R&D team on a new technology. The way the design or specifications can change throughout the process is really interesting because there are some unique challenges that you don’t encounter with standard coins. Not being technical by training, I find it fascinating to see what our engineers can do.” Josh Bednar, Product Manager, Royal Canadian Mint“The idea for this technology came about when we were exploring the fundamental assumptions we often take for granted about coins. In the past, we have asked questions like, ‘Why do coins have to be flat,?’ which resulted in an undulated flag coin; or ‘Why do coins have to be round?,” which led to a maple leaf and even a Canada-shaped coin. For this product, we were curious enough to ask, ‘Do coins need to be planar?” We were excited to discover that they do not need to be planar. It is possible to highlight a coin’s main feature and physically raise it above the surface.” Kevin Wright, M. Eng, P. Eng, Product Engineer, Research & DevelopmentDid you know?Loons can only take off when they’re on the water. They also require a long runway to generate enough speed for liftoff.This Flying Loon design originally appeared on a silver proof dollar and a specimen dollar coin that was exclusive to the Oh Canada! and 1997 specimen sets. It was a special commemorative issue in honour of the 10th anniversary of Canada’s $1 circulation coin (1987-1997).Packaging:Your prototypecoin comes packaged in an exclusive R&D Lab wooden box with a special certificate to explain the technology.

Price: 2500 CAD

Location: Ottawa, ON

End Time: 2024-01-26T13:16:13.000Z

Shipping Cost: 112.05 CAD