2277) "Ukrainian Pysanka Easter Egg", Canada: A $20 (Twenty Dollars - CAN) Silver Coin features the Traditional Ukrainian Pysanka Egg issued by the Royal Canadian Mint: Date of Coin issue: 08.03.2022:
Traditional Ukrainian Pysanka Easter egg motif features on silver and colour Proof coins:
The Header/Banner shows Obverse and Reverse of the traditional Pysanka Easter Egg $20 (Twenty Dollars - CAN) Coin
The Royal Canadian Mint has released on 08.03.2022 its annual "Pysanka Easter Egg-themed Coins".
Now into its seventh year, these egg-shaped coins feature the traditional and ornate patterns found on Easter eggs abundantly found in Ukraine and many other Central and Eastern European ethnic groups.
What is a "Pysanka" (Ukrainian Easter Egg)?
A "Pysanka" (Ukrainian: писанка, plural: pysanky) is a Ukrainian Easter Egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method. The word "Pysanka" comes from the verb "Pysaty" meaning "to write" or "to inscribe," as the designs are not painted on, but written/inscribed with beeswax.
The designs are "written" in hot wax with a pinhead or a special stylus called a "pysachok" (писачок) or a "kistka" (кістка) which has a small funnel attached to hold a small amount of liquid wax.
Wooden eggs and beaded eggs are often referred to as "pysanky" because they mimic the decorative style of pysanky in a different medium.
Many other Central and Eastern European ethnic groups decorate eggs using wax resist for Easter. These include the Belarusians (пісанка, pisanka), Bulgarians (писано яйце, pisano yaytse), Carpatho-Rusyns (писанкы, pysankŷ), Croats (pisanica), Czechs (kraslice), Hungarians (hímestojás), Lithuanians (margutis), Poles (pisanka), Romanians (ouă vopsite, încondeiate or împistrite), Serbs (pisanica), Slovaks (kraslica), Slovenes (pirhi, pisanice, or remenke) and Sorbs (jejka pisać).
The origins of the Pysanka Easter Eggs goes back to ancient cultures which worshipped the Sun-God - "Dazhboh":
As in many ancient cultures, Ukrainians worshipped a sun god, Dazhboh. The sun was important – it warmed the earth and thus was a source of all life. Eggs decorated with nature symbols became an integral part of spring rituals, serving as benevolent talismans.
In ancient times, Dazhboh was one of the major deities in the Slavic pantheon; birds were the sun god's chosen creations, for they were the only ones who could get near him. Humans could not catch the birds, but they did manage to obtain the eggs the birds laid.
Thus, the eggs were magical objects, a source of life.
The egg was also honoured during the "Rite-of-Spring festivals". It represented the rebirth of the Earth. The long, hard winter was over; the earth burst forth and was reborn just as the egg miraculously burst forth with life. The egg therefore, was believed to have special powers.
Present Day:
In modern times, the art of the Pysanka was carried abroad by Ukrainian emigrants to North and South America, where the custom took hold, and concurrently banished in Ukraine by the Soviet regime (as a religious practice), where it was nearly forgotten. Museum collections were destroyed both by war and by the Soviet administration.
Since Ukrainian Independence in 1991, there has been a rebirth of this folk art in its homeland, and a renewal of interest in the preservation of traditional designs and research into its symbolism and history.
The Silver Coin:
The Obverse and Reverse of the $20 (Twenty Dollars - CAN) Pysanka Coin
The two main bands feature starburst and rose motifs symbolizing beauty, love, life and good fortune.
The larger diamond and triangle shapes represent knowledge and wisdom; smaller triangles represent family, while the triangles with an inside sieve pattern signify the division of good and evil.
Two outer bands contain a saw-like pattern that symbolizes loyalty and the sun’s rays, while the waves represent water and wealth.
By using four or more colours, this pysanka conveys a blessing for a family’s prosperity: blue for the sky and good health; red for passion and happiness; yellow for youth and light; white for purity and birth; and black for eternity and the darkest time before dawn.
The centre band features the name of the issuing country - "CANADA", the denomination of "20 DOLLARS", and the year of issue - "2022".
The Obverse of the $20 (Twenty Dollars - CAN) Proof quality Silver Coin features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The inscriptions are - "ELIZABETH II. D.G. REGINA" (meaning - "Elizabeth II. By the Grace of God Queen").
The specification of the Gold Coin are:
Country of issue: Canada; Date/Year: 08.03.2022; Coin Theme: "Traditional Ukrainian Pysanke Easter Eggs"; Denomination/Face Value: $20 (Twenty Dollars); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.80 grams or 1 oz.; Diameter/Size: 45.00 mm x 33.00 mm; Edge: serrated; Shape: Round; Coin Quality: Proof (P) with applied colour. The reverse design also makes use of the coin’s proof finish, weaving the mirror-like shine of 99.99% pure silver with dazzling colours; Mint: Royal Canadian Mint (RCM); Mintage: 5,500 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Serialised Certificate of Authenticity; Designer: Dave Wasylyshen (Reverse), Susanna Blunt (Obverse).
Remarks: The Mint has decided to donate all net proceeds from the sale of this coin to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. Funds raised through this appeal are aimed at assisting the Red Cross respond to humanitarian needs emerging from the current conflict faced by Ukraine.
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Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Great job".
Thank you, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very Nice."
Thank you, Trikha sahab.
DeleteAshok Borate has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very nice information."
Thank you, Ashokji.
DeleteRam Lalingkar has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting post about Canadian Dollar-coin with engravings of 'Ukranian Pyasanka Egg' silver coin. That too on the background of present day 'Ukranian-Russion' crisis !"
Yes, Rambhau. Also all the sale proceeds will go to the International Red Cross for helping Ukrainian refugees.
Delete