2505) "The Timber Wolf", Canada: "Canadian Wildlife Coin Series": $250 (Two Hundred Fifty Dollars - CAN) Gold Proof and $25 (Twenty Five Dollars - CAN) Silver Proof Coin showcase this wild animal: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022:
This is the third and final coin in the Royal Canadian Mint's (RCM) Extraordinary High Relief (EHR) Coin Series.
Like the 2020 "Proud Bald Eagle" and "2021 Bold Bison" Coins, this wildlife portrait has been brought to life by Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) engraving, which elevates the art to breathtaking effect.
It is the final piece in a limited series of wildlife-themed coins that feature EHR and a proof finish.
The Timber Wolf and Gray Wolf are the same species (Canis lupus). “Timber Wolf” is a common name for a wolf residing in a forested area; in reality, wolves are one of the most wide-ranging land animals, and in Canada, they inhabit a variety of habitats, from forests to grasslands, and even tundra.
Two distinct species of Wolves - the Gray Wolf & the Red Wolf:
Two distinct species of wolf exist in the world: the Gray Wolf and the Red Wolf.
The Eastern Wolf or Timber Wolf, like the Indian Wolf, the Himalayan Wolf, the Mexican Wolf and the Arctic Wolf have long been considered subspecies of the Gray Wolf.
Over time, however, opinions have become divided on whether certain subspecies are, in fact, species in their own right. The Timber Wolf is one of those subspecies.
The Eastern (Timber) Wolf is smaller and less stocky than the Gray Wolf.
This difference may exist because, while the Eastern Wolf is considered to be a subspecies of the Gray Wolf, the latter wolf is also considered to be a kissing cousin of the Coyote.
Hybridization is common between the Coyote and the Eastern Timber Wolf.
It is so common, that the Eastern Timber Wolf might not be a separate species or subspecies, but that the genes identified as belonging to the “Eastern Timber Wolf” might actually belong to the Coyote instead.
The Eastern Timber Wolf and the Gray Wolf share most wolf-related physical characteristics other than size and the timber wolf's slightly lighter build.
Behavioural Characteristics of Gray and Timber Wolves:
- Both Gray Wolves and Eastern Timber Wolves live in packs consisting of two or more individuals. These packs consist of up to two dozen members.
- Wolf packs usually consist of only one breeding pair, their offspring and other wolves with which they may share a family relationship.
- Pack ranges may extend over hundreds of square miles.
- Gray wolves and timber wolves typically hunt and consume different prey animals, due to their respective ranges.
- The Gray Wolf typically consumes caribou, elk, moose and white-tailed deer when hunting as a pack.
- The Eastern Timber Wolf typically has access to only white-tailed deer over most of its range; however, it does hunt moose when available.
The Coin:
The Reverse of the $250 (Gold) and $25 (Silver) Proof Coins, features a powerful three-quarter portrait of the timber wolf, with strength emanating from its raised likeness. The timber wolf seems to be rising up from the coin’s mirror-like surface to reach an incredible height of over 6.00 mm.
Gazing intently towards the right, the timber wolf’s features - its intelligent eyes, sharp ears and snout - are prominently featured and artfully accentuated by Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) engraving, while the field’s high-shine finish directs light back onto the wolf’s form.
The Obverse of the $250 (Gold) and $25 (Silver) Proof Coins, features the effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II, along with a background wave pattern representing a sense of movement, like wind sweeping across the landscape.
The Coin's denomination - "250 DOLLARS" (Gold) and "25 DOLLARS" (Silver) is placed on the lower periphery). On the outer periphery is the inscription - "ELIZABETH II. D.G. REGINA".
The specification of the $250 (Dollars - CAN) Gold Proof Coin are:
Country of issue: Canada; Date/Year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Canadian Wildlife Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "The Timber Wolf"; Denomination/Face Value: $250 (Two Hundred Fifty Dollars - CAN); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1.00 Oz or 31.62 grams; Diameter/Size: 36.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Canadian Mint (RCM); Edge: Serrated; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Designers: Eric Boyer (Reverse), Susanna Blunt (Obverse).
The specification of the $25 (Dollars - CAN) Silver Proof Coin are:
Country of issue: Canada; Date/Year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Canadian Wildlife Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "The Timber Wolf"; Denomination/Face Value: $25 (Twenty Five Dollars - CAN); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 63.27 grams; Diameter/Size: 36.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Canadian Mint (RCM); Edge: Serrated; Mintage: 275 pieces; Designers: Eric Boyer (Reverse), Susanna Blunt (Obverse).
Packaging: The Gold and Silver Proof coin is individually encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded custom case accompanied by a numbered/serialised Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
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