The Royal canadian mint breaks new ground with double-sided extraordinarily high relief on gold and silver year of the dragon coins

OTTAWA (ONTARIO), February 6, 2024 – The Royal Canadian Mint has once again raised the bar in the world of extreme relief by launching its first-ever coins dramatically defining a design in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) on both their obverse and reverse.  The 2024 $350 Pure Gold Coin and $50 Fine Silver Coin – Year of the Dragon are the latest innovations to come from the Mint’s Research and Development team, which has enhanced the relief of artist Simon Ng’s dragon design to an impressive height of 4.7 mm on the reverse, and created a rear view of the same dragon in a similarly enhanced obverse relief.  These ground-breaking “double EHR” works of art are available as of February 6, 2024.

“The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to be a tireless innovator that continuously elevates the art and science of coin manufacturing for the enjoyment of collectors, as well as appreciators of art and culture in Canada and around the world,” said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “To create a front and rear view of a dramatic design on the same coin, and to do so in extreme relief on both sides, is both a technical triumph for our talented employees and a bold sign that the Mint remains dedicated to crafting innovative products that keep delighting our customers and drive new interest in numismatics.”

The reverse design by artist Simon Ng celebrates the Year of the Wood Dragon through an elaborate EHR engraving of a dragon, the fifth sign in the Chinese Zodiac. Framed by a laser-engraved pattern that represents the wood element, the dragon is shown moving among the clouds of a night sky illuminated by the moon, its tail coiled to form the shape of lucky number 8. A rear view of that same scene is rendered in EHR on the obverse. Above the obverse engraving appears the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, accompanied by a special device of four pearls symbolizing her four different effigies to have graced Canadian coins, as well as the double date of her reign.

The 2024 $350 Pure Gold Coin – Year of the Dragon, with a nominal metal weight of 188 g is limited to 108 examples world-wide, while its $50 fine silver companion, weighing just over 100 g, has a mintage of 5,388 coins.  These products can be ordered by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or at www.mint.ca. It is also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg and through the Mint’s global network of dealers and distributors.

Images and video of these innovative coins are available here.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, producing award-winning collector coins, market-leading bullion products, as well as Canada’s prestigious military and civilian honours.  As an established London and COMEX Good Delivery refiner, the Mint also offers a full spectrum of best-in-class gold and silver refining services.  As an organization that strives to take better care of the environment, to cultivate safe and inclusive workplaces and to make a positive impact on the communities where it operates, the Mint integrates environmental, social and governance practices in every aspect of its operations. 

For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.  Follow the Mint on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

For more information, media are asked to contact:

Royal Canadian Mint
Alex Reeves
Senior Manager, Public Affairs
613-884-6370
reeves@mint.ca