2014 Canadian $20 Stained Glass: Craigdarroch Castle - 1 oz Fine Silver Coloured Coin

2014 Canadian $20 Stained Glass: Craigdarroch Castle - 1 oz Fine Silver Coloured Coin

From coast to coast, many of Canada's public buildings are adorned with these artistic creations. This coin offers a reproduction of one of the breathtaking stained glass windows that can be found at Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, B.C.

Commissioned in 1887 by coal tycoon Robert Dunsmuir, Craigdarroch Castle was designed to be a grand home for one of Western Canada's wealthiest families at that time. No expense seemed to be spared, from the elaborate Victorian furnishings to the woodwork and the numerous stained glass windows.

Today, visitors to the now-historic site can view 32 of the original 47 stained glass windows – one of which has been reproduced on this beautiful enameled silver coin. Translucent enamel has been painstakingly applied by hand to the flowers and leaves; the brilliant colours and attention to detail will leave collectors feeling like they are holding their very own stained glass masterpiece in their hands!

With their ability to transform a single sunbeam into an array of dazzling colours, stained glass windows have captivated architects and artists alike. The Royal Canadian Mint proudly celebrates the timeless artistry of stained glass windows—one of Canada's most widespread forms of public art—with the introduction of its dazzling "Stained Glass" series of coins.

Features

Your coin is the first in a new 5-coin series featuring eye-catching reproductions of Canada's stained glass masterpieces!
Each pocket of your coin has been hand-filled to recreate the look of the original stained glass window.
Your coin is GST/HST exempt and has a limited worldwide mintage.

Design

Your coin features a stunning colour partial reproduction of one of the stained glass windows that adorn Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, B.C. The focal point of the design is the grouping of six brightly coloured flowers; each petal has been painstakingly filled by hand with blue, purple and red translucent enamel to recreate a stained glass effect. Green translucent enamel has been applied to the veined leaves, which provide foliar interest. The original window's diverging brick pattern has been replicated and adapted to a smaller scale, to fill the reverse image background.

Packaging

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a protective sleeve.

Specifications

Face Value: $20
Mintage: 7,500
Composition: 99.99% Silver
Weight (g): 31.39
Diameter (mm): 38
Finish: Proof