2014 25c Harlequin Duck - Coloured Coin - 24h Shipping!

Description of the 2014 25c Harlequin Duck - Coloured Coin - 24h Shipping!

This is the fourth coin in the popular "Canadian Ducks" series by the Royal Canadian Mint. This beautiful, colorful copper-nickel coin features a pair of Harlequin Ducks, which are found on the eastern and western coasts of Canada. The bright coloring of the male resembles the outfit of a whimsical harlequin from traditional Italian commedia dell'arte, hence the English name Harlequin Duck. This coin is a thoughtful and valuable collectible item for nature and art enthusiasts.

The coin is limited to 17,500 pieces worldwide.

Appearance of the 2014 25c Harlequin Duck - Coloured Coin - 24h Shipping!

The reverse of the coin depicts a pair of Harlequin Ducks standing on rocks in a swiftly flowing stream. The brightly colored male, shown in profile, takes center stage. The white spot behind the eye and the white coloring above the dark beak are common to both the male and the female, who stands behind him on the left side of the image. The rushing stream, depicted in the background, gives the scene a dynamic character. As with other coins in this series, part of the image extends beyond the inner frame of the reverse, giving it a unique three-dimensional appearance.

The obverse was designed by Susanna Blunt and features the image of Queen Elizabeth II.

Historical Background

The male Harlequin Duck is about 30 to 50 centimeters long and weighs less than a kilogram. The sounds it makes resemble the squeak of a mouse. The Harlequin Duck spends the summer inland on the shores of freshwater wetlands. It nests on the ground or in tree and rock crevices near water, usually returning to the same breeding site each year. It feeds on invertebrates and fish and is an agile diver, voraciously hunting insect larvae at the bottom of the stream. In the fall, the Harlequin Duck migrates to the rocky, stormy coasts of the Pacific and Atlantic in British Columbia and Newfoundland, where it feeds on crabs, mussels, fish roe, and other prey that it extracts from crevices in shallow water.

Manufacturer

With Canada's growing independence from Great Britain, the need for minting its own coins also increased. Therefore, in 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint was established and has since become one of the most important mints in the world. To this day, all coins from the Royal Canadian Mint bear the portrait of the reigning British monarch.

The Mint's shares are held in trust for the Crown of Canada.

The Mint produces all Canadian circulation coins and is involved in designing and manufacturing collector coins from precious metals - gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion coins, medals, as well as medallions and tokens. It also offers gold and silver refining services.

Today, the Royal Canadian Mint sets standards in the field of minting technology and numismatic design, reflecting its position and reputation.