Pièce en argent Épreuve numismatique Ours héraldique 2025 | Monnaie royale canadienne

EHR meets UHR on this reimagining of Ontario’s heraldic bear.

Emblematic of strength and courage in the wild, the black bear (Ursus americanus) is found in the forests of nearly every Canadian province and territory, including Ontario, where its prominent placement in the provincial coat of arms—on the crest above the shield—alludes to that province’s abundance of wildlife. Reimagined in a heraldically stylized manner on this 99.99% pure silver coin, the bear’s head is raised and its features pushed to the forefront thanks to Extraordinarily High Relief, allowing Ontario’s heraldic animal to confront the viewer eye to eye while maintaining a watchful presence over flora emblems engraved in Ultra High Relief. It’s a stunning rendering of Canadian emblematic art!

EHR and UHR provide maximum relief height.

COIN HIGHLIGHTS

• A Canadian heraldic animal, reimagined and refreshed. Canada is represented by many different symbols and heraldic emblems, and this 99.99% pure silver coin is a fresh twist on emblematic art by reimagining a heraldic animal—the black bear from the Ontario Coat of Arms—in a whole new way!
• Flora and fauna are represented. The black bear is widespread throughout the forests of Ontario, which is also home to the three other flora emblems found on this coin: the white pine (Ontario’s provincial tree) and trillium (Ontario’s floral emblem), and the maple leaf that represents Canada.
• Woodgrain field pattern. Both sides of the coin feature an engraved woodgrain field pattern that is not just aesthetically pleasing, it also serves as a visual connection to the natural world that has inspired most of Canada’s identifying emblems.
• High relief, low mintage. Only 2,000 coins are available to collectors worldwide.
• Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.
• No GST/HST.

PACKAGING

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a black Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

NEW COMBINED ENGRAVING TECHNIQUE

Two engraving techniques have been combined for maximum relief on one side of the coin: the reverse design centres on an intricately sculpted bear rendered in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) with a peak height of 4.8 mm, while the surrounding wreath is struck in Ultra High Relief (UHR).

DID YOU KNOW?

Blazon is the language of heraldry: it provides an exact description of attitudes (position) and attributes in formal heraldic terminology that ensures an accurate reconstruction of the achievement. The blazon of the Ontario Coat of Arms describes the crest as “a bear passant Sable,” meaning a black bear (“Sable” is the term for black) walking with its right forepaw raised, while this coin’s forward-facing bear would be described as “a bear’s head affronty.”

Set against a woodgrain pattern, the reverse design by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin features a reimagining of the black bear crest from the Ontario Coat of Arms. Rendered in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) and placed in a cartouche frame, the bear’s head is presented in a heraldically stylized manner and featured in a forward-facing pose, allowing it to meet the viewer’s gaze. The surrounding wreath is engraved in Ultra High Relief (UHR) and composed of white pine (Ontario’s arboreal emblem), trillium (Ontario’s floral emblem) and stylized maple leaves (a nod to the Arms of Canada), while the pine cones, trillium buds and maple keys signify renewal and hope for the future. The woodgrain pattern also appears on the obverse, which features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT

The Royal Canadian Mint is known as one of the most reputable mints in the world. The Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint opened in 1908 and was renamed The Royal Canadian Mint in 1931 when control was transferred to the Canadian government. Their high standards for excellence and quality allowed them to be the first refinery to manufacture 9999 fine gold bullion coins in 1982, as well as the first to reach 99999 fine gold purity in 1998.