Spirit of Haida Gwaii gold coin

Yestreday, Royal Canadian Mint's has released a ultra-high relief creation, the world's first 10 kilo coin crafted of 99.999% pure gold, Spirit of Haida Gwaii gold coin. The coin  has been dedicated to Bill Reid's The Spirit of Haida Gwaii; one of the most celebrated masterpieces of Canadian art. This first-ever Canadian coin to bear a $100,000 face value was unveiled at the Bill Reid Gallery for Northwest Coast Art in Vancouver, British Columbia by Mr. James B. Love, Chair of the Royal Canadian Mint's Board of Directors and Dr. Martine Reid, Ph.D., Director of Research and Content at the Bill Reid Gallery.

The powerful image of The Spirit of Haida Gwaii was captured on the Mint's first 10-kilo gold coin by now retired Mint Master Engraver Cosme Saffioti. Inspired by the imposing scale of Bill Reid's masterpiece, he manually engraved a faithful recreation, using traditional techniques, to an ultra-high relief rarely achieved in the world of coin making. The result is a meticulously detailed sculpture of 99.999% pure gold, honouring the original in a spectacular new form. This extraordinary coin was struck at the Mint's Ottawa facility, using the same 2,500 tonne press from which the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games athlete medals were produced.

No more than 15 of these exclusive coins will be crafted for collectors of both fine art and of the finest gold in the world. Its price is a combination of the gold market rate at the time of purchase, plus a premium for its manufacturing and very limited mintage.

The engraving of Bill Reid's masterpiece appearing on the reverse of this coin is beautifully highlighted in a proof finish, contrasting the sculpture's image in a satin finish set against a brilliant, mirror-like background. The obverse of the coin, also finished in proof quality, features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II created by portrait artist Susanna Blunt in 2003.

In 1985, Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson commissioned Bill Reid to produce a sculpture for the new Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The result was The Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Black Canoe, which is cast in bronze and represents Reid's largest and most complex sculpture standing almost four metres in height and weighing 4,900 kilos. A second casting, named The Jade Canoe, graces the terminal of the Vancouver International Airport, while the original plaster pattern of the monument is displayed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.

On public display at the Mint's downtown Vancouver boutique on October 22 and 23 2011, The Spirit of Haida Gwaii 10-kilo pure gold collector coin is available directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada or at 1-800-268-6468 in the US. Interested buyers may also inquire about this coin at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver. More information is available at www.mint.ca/10kilo.

THE SPIRIT OF HAIDA GWAII 10-KILO 99.999% PURE GOLD COIN

The Spirit of Haida Gwaii pure gold coin is the world's first 10-kilo gold coin of 99.999% purity. Its $100,000 face value makes it the world's highest denomination 10-kilo gold coin and highest denomination non-circulation numismatic coin. It is the second-highest denomination coin ever produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, which produced a 100-kg gold bullion coin of 99.999% purity at $1,000,000 face value in 2007.

The coin's massive size (180 mm diameter) is fittingly complemented by the image of Bill Reid's monumental sculpture featured on its reverse. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by Susanna Blunt.

Technical Specifications:

Composition: 99.999% gold

Weight (g): 10,000

Diameter (mm): 180

Edge: Serrated

Finish: Proof

Face Value: 100,000 dollars

Mintage: Made-to-order with a maximum of 15 coins

Artist: Bill Reid (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)

Engraver: Cosme Saffioti