2018 Canadian $20 Norse Figureheads: The Dragon's Sail - 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

2018 Canadian $20 Norse Figureheads: The Dragon's Sail - 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

Face Value: $20
Mintage: 6,000
Composition: 99.99% Silver
Weight (g): 31.39
Diameter (mm): 38
Finish: Proof

For centuries, Icelandic sagas spoke of Viking expeditions to new shorelines that seemingly matched our North Atlantic coast. They chronicled Leif Eriksson's exploration of Helluland, "Land of Stone Slabs" (likely Baffin Island and the northern tip of Labrador ); of the timber-rich land aptly named Markland, "Forest Land" (Labrador); and a resource-rich area named Vinland — a place that seemed more myth than fact until the 1960s, when the remains of an 11th century Norse settlement were unearthed on Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula.

Today, L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is recognized as the oldest European settlement in the New World, and the first authenticated Viking settlement in North America. Its artefacts and structures are proof that Norse ships did come to our shores more than 1,000 years ago, and that the fearless seafarers are a fascinating part of Canada's pre-Columbian history!

The perfect coin for someone who enjoys Viking history! Order today!

Special features:
THE SHIPS THAT SAILED INTO HISTORY! Yours is the second coin in a three-coin series that re-visits the Viking Age, to a time when the naval expertise of Norse seafarers left an imprint on history wherever their ships came ashore—including Canada's east coast. Coins in your series include:

• Northern Fury (priced at $104.95, already available)
• Viking Voyage (priced at $104.95, expected availability date of March 2018)

HISTORY AND ART INTERTWINED! A joint celebration of the artistry and naval craftsmanship that are at the heart of an early chapter in Canadian history—one that was only uncovered in the 1960s!
VIKINGS IN CANADA! Your coin re-imagines Viking ships, as they likely appeared a millennium ago, when a Norse encampment was established on the site of L'Anse aux Meadows, N.L.—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America to date!
COMPLEX AND COLOURFUL! Your coin features a reverse design that is as elaborate and intricate as the ship it depicts!
A TIMELESS QUALITY! The circular nature of the frame speaks to the timelessness of the Viking spirit, while the knotwork exemplifies the beauty of traditional Norse art.
INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE! The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins!
LOW MINTAGE! Set to 6,000 coins worldwide, this limited collectible is sure to be highly sought after.
ONE-OUNCE 99.99% PURE SILVER COIN! Your coin is GST/HST exempt!

Design:
The saga of Leif Eriksson's voyage from Greenland to Vinland inspired this reverse design by Canadian artist Jean-Pierre Vallée. In the background, the rugged North Atlantic coast of present-day Canada rises up from the sea, and resembles some of the new shorelines spied during Eriksson's expedition circa AD 1000. In the foreground, a fearsome Norse dragon ship sails into view. The sea-level perspective places a special emphasis on the square mast and highly intricate woodworking that made a Viking ship both a technical and artistic marvel in its time. Ornate carvings of gripping beasts lead up to the dragon figurehead on the prow, which was intended to ward off evil spirits while adding to the ship's imposing appearance. A similar Norse art-inspired pattern of interlaced serpents is replicated on the selectively coloured frame, which surrounds the artistic interpretation of an early chapter in Canada's history. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

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