2016 Canadian $20 Landscape Illusion: Salmon - 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

2016 Canadian $20 Landscape Illusion: Salmon - 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

Shadows, lines, shapes and highlights come together in perfect unison to create an optical illusion that tricks the brain into "seeing" something that isn't there. Or is it?

Sometimes, an illusion is pure coincidence. Many a legend has been inspired by mountains, trees or landscapes that look like a person, animal or object. Or, the effect is deliberate, a calculated composition designed to delight and puzzle the eye by producing an image other than what is there.

This exciting coin series brings you the fascinating art of illusion to celebrate Canada's natural heritage with unprecedented and utterly captivating designs. Each coin features an image of the Canadian landscape, but combines natural elements in the scene to create an optical illusion of an animal—like the salmon on this coin featuring a waterfall.

A must-have addition to your nature or animal coin display! 

Features

TWO IMAGES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! Third issue in the Landscape Illusion series that showcases the art of illusion and brings you two images for the price of one—a stunning Canadian landscape and an optical illusion of wildlife.
OPTICAL ILLUSION! Beautifully enhanced with colour to perfect the optical illusion embedded within the primary design.
EYE-BENDING DESIGN! You will also be impressed by the clever use of shadows, lines, shapes and light to create this coin's eye-bending design!
99.99% PURE SILVER COIN! Your coin is GST/HST exempt!
LOW MINTAGE: Only 5,500 coins worldwide.

Design

Designed by Canadian artist Julius T. Csotonyi, your coin features a towering waterfall beautifully crafted in colour. Water cascades down the rocky cliff, but on closer examination, a salmon emerges from the scene. It is leaping upwards to get beyond the falls in order to continue its incredible migration against the current to spawn. The salmon's body, mouth and eye are visible in the rushing cascades while the driftwood and stone below form the shape of its tail. Above, the salmon's left pectoral fin is found in an unwavering bush that is growing in the middle of the falls.

Packaging

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

Specifications

Face Value: $20
Mintage: 5,500
Composition: 99.99% Silver
Weight (g): 31.39
Diameter(mm): 38
Finish: Proof