1475) An "Inuk" and a "Quilliq", Canada: New 1/20 Ounce $10 Coins minted in Arctic Gold by the Royal Canadian Mint symbolise cultural diversity in Canada and features deeply symbolic elements that are important expressions of Inuit identity : Year of Coin issue: 2020:
The Royal Canadian Mint has issued new Gold Coins, which, for the first time have been minted as 1/20 Ounce Gold Coins. These Coins are meant as Collector Coins, rather than as part of a Bullion Set or Series.
Also, these coins are crafted entirely from Gold sourced from Arctic Gold Mines - "The Agnico-Eagle Mines' Meadowbank Gold Mine located near Baker Lake, Nunavut and TMAC Resources' Doris North Mine at Hope Bay.
A traditional Inuit Oil Lamp flanked by the Obverse and Reverse of the $10 Arctic Gold Coin
This Inuit-inspired design is a proud statement of cultural diversity in Canada and features deeply symbolic elements that are important expressions of Inuit identity.
The motif of the Gold Coin is the "Qulliq", depicted as the hopeful light that burns bright on a dark night - the light that warms the mind, body and spirit.
Like the Inuksuit landmarks that guide the way, the traditional oil lamp is an important symbol of Inuit culture representing hearth and home in the Arctic, where it embodies the strength and care provided by the women who are the keepers of its flames.
Interestingly, both land and sea provide the materials for the materials for the Quilliq, such as rendered seal fat (or blubber), which is used as slow-burning fuel and gets absorbed by tufts of Arctic cotton and moss that serve as lamp wicks.
Believed to have been utilised for over 3,000 years, Inuit oil lamps were carved mainly out of soapstone, but there are also some made of a special kind of pottery. The Inuit used these lamps to cook their meals and for heating their tents made out of seal skins and the "Illuvigaq" (Igloo). They also used it to dry their clothing and to light their homes.
Sizes and shapes of lamps could be different, but most were either elliptical or half-moon shaped which accommodated the Taqquti (Wick trimmers), also known as Lamp feeders, which were made of wood, willow, soapstone, bone or ivory.
Quilliqs are lit along the edge of the lamp, providing a pleasant light, as well as, providing a source of warmth. A slab of seal blubber was left to melt over the lamp, feeding it with more fat, but these lamps had to be tended continually by trimming the wick in such a way that the lamp would not produce smoke.
The Gold Coin:
The Reverse of the $10 (Ten Dollars) Arctic Gold Coin has been designed by Inuk artist Ulaayu Pilurtuut, who has blended a contemporary-styled celebration of Inuit culture, identity and way of life with traditional elements.
Surrounded by Inuksuit that symbolise community and guidance, the Inuk woman at the centre of the design tends to the traditional Quilliq, an Inuit oil lamp that provides light and warmth.
The Inuksuk elements shown on the left and right peripheries are the stone land-markers depicted on Nunavut's Territorial Flag. The Inuksuk were used as landmarks to find one's location, to indicate where animals have passed and to mark an area as a successful hunting spot.
The denomination of "10 DOLLARS and the year of issue "2020" are placed on the lower periphery.
The Royal Canadian Mint has issued new Gold Coins, which, for the first time have been minted as 1/20 Ounce Gold Coins. These Coins are meant as Collector Coins, rather than as part of a Bullion Set or Series.
Also, these coins are crafted entirely from Gold sourced from Arctic Gold Mines - "The Agnico-Eagle Mines' Meadowbank Gold Mine located near Baker Lake, Nunavut and TMAC Resources' Doris North Mine at Hope Bay.
A traditional Inuit Oil Lamp flanked by the Obverse and Reverse of the $10 Arctic Gold Coin
This Inuit-inspired design is a proud statement of cultural diversity in Canada and features deeply symbolic elements that are important expressions of Inuit identity.
The motif of the Gold Coin is the "Qulliq", depicted as the hopeful light that burns bright on a dark night - the light that warms the mind, body and spirit.
Like the Inuksuit landmarks that guide the way, the traditional oil lamp is an important symbol of Inuit culture representing hearth and home in the Arctic, where it embodies the strength and care provided by the women who are the keepers of its flames.
Interestingly, both land and sea provide the materials for the materials for the Quilliq, such as rendered seal fat (or blubber), which is used as slow-burning fuel and gets absorbed by tufts of Arctic cotton and moss that serve as lamp wicks.
Believed to have been utilised for over 3,000 years, Inuit oil lamps were carved mainly out of soapstone, but there are also some made of a special kind of pottery. The Inuit used these lamps to cook their meals and for heating their tents made out of seal skins and the "Illuvigaq" (Igloo). They also used it to dry their clothing and to light their homes.
Sizes and shapes of lamps could be different, but most were either elliptical or half-moon shaped which accommodated the Taqquti (Wick trimmers), also known as Lamp feeders, which were made of wood, willow, soapstone, bone or ivory.
Quilliqs are lit along the edge of the lamp, providing a pleasant light, as well as, providing a source of warmth. A slab of seal blubber was left to melt over the lamp, feeding it with more fat, but these lamps had to be tended continually by trimming the wick in such a way that the lamp would not produce smoke.
The Gold Coin:
The Reverse of the $10 (Ten Dollars) Arctic Gold Coin has been designed by Inuk artist Ulaayu Pilurtuut, who has blended a contemporary-styled celebration of Inuit culture, identity and way of life with traditional elements.
Surrounded by Inuksuit that symbolise community and guidance, the Inuk woman at the centre of the design tends to the traditional Quilliq, an Inuit oil lamp that provides light and warmth.
The Inuksuk elements shown on the left and right peripheries are the stone land-markers depicted on Nunavut's Territorial Flag. The Inuksuk were used as landmarks to find one's location, to indicate where animals have passed and to mark an area as a successful hunting spot.
The denomination of "10 DOLLARS and the year of issue "2020" are placed on the lower periphery.
The Obverse of the $10 (Ten Dollars) Arctic Gold Coin shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right.
The peripheral inscriptions are - "ELIZABETH II. D.G. REGINA" (meaning "Elizabeth II. By The Grace of God Queen").
The specifications of the Gold Coin are:
Denomination: 10 Dollars; Metal Composition: .9999 Gold (Au); Weight: 1.58 grams; Diameter/Size: 14.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 4,000 pieces; Mint: Royal Canadian Mint; Year: 2020; Designer: (Reverse) Inuk artist Ulaayu Pilurtuut, (Obverse) Susanna Blunt.
Each Coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded Custom black Matte Vinyl Case and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
For other interesting posts on the Coins and Banknotes of Canada, please visit the following links:
31) North-west Territories, Canada: 150th Anniversary (1870-2020): A $30 (Thirty Canadian Dollars) Silver Proof Coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, celebrates the milestone: Year of Coin issue: 2020
32) An "Inuk" and a Quilliq", Canada: New 1/20 Ounce $10 Coins minted in Arctic Gold by the royal Canadian Mint symbolise cultural diversity in Canada and features deeply symbolic elements that are important expressions of Inuit identity: Year of Coin issue: 2020
Vimal Dikshit has commented:
ReplyDelete"Good information."
Thank you, Vimal.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Canada's present dispensation is very open to adopt different cultures."
Yes. They have brought out coins and banknotes, acknowledging the contributions of various peoples in the nation's development/progress.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Gr8 information."