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Wednesday 13 November 2019

1137) "Canadian Horse", Canada: Royal Mint Canada issues a 20 Dollars Gold and Black Rhodium-plated Silver Proof Coin: Year of issue marked as 2020:

1137) "Canadian Horse", Canada: Royal Mint Canada issues a 20 Dollars Gold and Black Rhodium-plated Silver Proof Coin: Year of issue marked as 2020:

The Royal Canadian Mint has issued a Gold and Black  Silver plated Coin, featuring the "Canadian Horse", which has twice faced extinction but is making a comeback, thanks to equine breeders and enthusiasts.
The Reverse of the 20 Dollars Silver Gold-black Rhodium plated Coin depicting the "Canadian Horse", placed against an enlarged background image of the centre portion of the Coin 

About the Canadian Horse:

For thousands of years, horses have played a significant role in transforming the world. Canada's own national horse - the "Canadian Horse" - is a living connection with the past. The "Canadian Horse" is somewhat of a national treasure being an equine ambassador of its own kind. Across the centuries, it has played a critical role in the economic and social development of Canada and has impacted agriculture, trade, transportation and has even taken part in wars.

This is a well-muscled breed of horse, usually dark coloured - black, bay, brown or chestnut in colour, generally used for riding and driving.

The Canadian Horse, the robust "little iron horse" as it sometimes affectionately referred to,  is descended from the French stock Louis XIV sent to Canada in the late 17th Century initially sent to New France (present day Quebec). 

It is descended from draft and light riding horses imported to Canada in the late 1600s and crossed with other British and American breeds. The exact origin of these horses are unknown, although they may have originally included Bretons, Normans, Arabians, Andalusians and Barbs.

By 1849, there were an estimated 150,000 Canadian Horses and many were exported from Canada annually to countries like the West Indies.

During the 18th Century, the Canadian Horse spread throughout North-eastern USA, where they were used for racing and to pull freight wagons and stage-coaches. 

Thousands of horses were exported in the 19th Century, many of whom were killed while being used as cavalry horses in the US Civil War (1861-65). Exports from Canada declined considerably thereafter, almost to the point of extinction by 1880, leading to the formation of a studbook (1885) by the Canadian Horse Breeders Association and the passage of a law in Quebec against further exports.

In the early 20th Century, experiments succeeded in re-establishing the breed to some extent, but mechanisation combined with the two World Wars, again resulted in the breed almost becoming extinct.

By the 1970s, the popularity of the breed had decline significantly with only about 400 Canadian Horses left world-wide.

In the 1980s, concerned with the declining population, interested breeders undertook a promotional programme, which resulted in renewed interest in the Canadian Horse.

By the 1990s, the population of this breed were increasing and genetic studies in 1998 and 2012 found relatively high levels of genetic diversity for a small breed. Nevertheless, livestock conservation organisations still consider the breed to be "at risk", due to its low numbers.

It has been long believed that horses can attune themselves to the emotions of humans and reflect our own behaviours, as a result of this inter-action, that can open the door to healing. Equine-based therapy, for instance, known as "hippo-therapy", as well as, therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated wellness, aims to improve the well-being of many humans diagnosed with physical or mental health issues. Therapy horses can aid with physical rehabilitation exercises, and they can also help reduce anxiety and boost confidence through positive interactions.

The Commemorative Coin:

This Gold-and black Rhodium plated Coin celebrates the human-horse relationship while bringing awareness to an emblem's near extinction status. The circular yin yang-like design reflects on the breed's near-extinction and comeback. It also speaks in many ways how this breed has supported human-beings at all times - good and bad. It is a powerful representation of a timeless bond between Horses and humans - two opposing/different forces, that have moved forward as one.
The Reverse of the 20 Dollars Silver Gold-and black Rhodium-plated Coin features two side profiles of the Canadian Horse (Equus ferus caballus). One is plated with Gold, while the other is plated with black Rhodium.

The two opposites interact to form a single, dynamic image that celebrates the human-horse relationship and reflects on the heritage breed's near extinction status.

 The Edge of the Coin is serrated.
The Obverse of the 20 Dollars Silver Gold-and black Rhodium-plated Coin shows the right facing effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The peripheral inscriptions are - "ELIZABETH II. CANADA. 2020. D. G. REGINA. 20 DOLLARS".

 The specifications of this Coin are:

 Denomination: 20.0 Dollars; Metal Composition: .999 Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.3 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with Gold-and black Rhodium plating; Finish: Matte; Edge: Serrated; Maximum Mintage: 3,500 pieces; Mint: Royal Canadian Mint; Designer: Claude Thivierge (Reverse); Year: 2020; Certificate of Authenticity: Serialised.

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).







For other interesting posts on the Coins and Banknotes of Canada, please visit the following links:












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