2015 Canada $20 North American Sportfish: Walleye 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

2015 Canada $20 North American Sportfish: Walleye 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

Thanks to specialized low-light vision, the carnivorous walleye is a highly efficient hunter in deep and murky waters, making it a sometimes elusive target for anglers. The bulging eyes from which its name is derived bear the same tapetum lucidum reflective layer as many other nocturnal or crepuscular animal species, boosting its ability to see in low light and causing "night shine" when light is shone directly at them.

Features

•  Part of the Royal Canadian Mint’s four-coin sportfish series features a beautifully detailed image of one of North America’s most sought-after sportfish: the walleye. 
•  This fine silver proof coin has been expertly engraved and enhanced with a variety of polishes to accent the natural attributes of this beautiful species. 
•  Features edge lettering bearing the coin’s metal weight: “9999 Fine Silver 1 oz 9999 Argent pur 1 oz” 
•  A low mintage of only 6,500 makes this coin especially exclusive. 
•  An exciting gift for the anglers and sports lovers in your life! 
•  GST/HST exempt.

Design 

This muscular golden-olive hued fish is the largest North American member of the perch family. It has golden flecks along the side of its rough ctenoid-scaled body. Like all perch, it has two dorsal fins—two dorsal fins—one soft rayed and the other sharply spines. It also has sharp spines on its gills that can be a hazard for those who handle them. Its large mouth is full of razor-like teeth, including back-slanted canines. The walleye is native across most of Canada east of the Canadian Rockies, from James Bay to southern central and eastern Canada. It hatches in waters from one to four metres in depth and then migrates into deeper or murkier regions as its specialized eyesight develops. Though many people assume that this fish cannot tolerate light, in fact it is truer to say that it seeks out low-light environments because of the predatory advantage they offer. Walleye generally hunt in the dark, or at dusk or dawn, but will hunt during the day on overcast days or in choppy waters. In fact, many anglers refer to such waters as "walleye chop.'

Among adult walleye, as with many fish, the female is larger. They grow up to about 80 centimetres in length and weigh up to 9 kilograms. Though they can live for several decades, the average walleye caught is about 3 to 5 years old.

An exciting gift for the anglers and sports lovers in your life!

Packaging

Coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a graphic beauty box and Certificate of Authenticity.

Specifications