2021 Canadian $1 Blanding's Turtle Dollar Specimen Coin

2021 Canadian $1 Blanding's Turtle Dollar Specimen Coin

Face Value: $1
Mintage: N/A
Composition: Multi-ply brass-plated steel
Weight (g): 6.27
Diameter (mm): 26.5
Finish: Specimen

This year's 1-dollar specimen coin continues the Endangered Species theme introduced in 2020. Home to more than 600 types of plants and animals considered to be at risk, Canada has a responsibility to protect rapidly vanishing species like the Blanding's turtle, which is featured on the 2021 Specimen Set's exclusive dollar coin. This long-lived (80 years) species has suffered a dramatic population decline. And given its late maturation (14-25 years), even the smallest increase in adult mortality pushes it closer to extinction. But there is some good news: nest protection and head-starting programs, like the one established by the Toronto Zoo and its partners, are part of ongoing efforts to give this "smiling" turtle a more certain future in Canada.

Design:

The obverse design features a bust image of Queen Elizabeth II and the phrase "ELIZABETH II D.G. REGINA".

This reverse designed by Pierre Girard features a Blanding's Turtle.