1/4 oz. Fine Silver Coin - Animal Architects: Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Mintage: 10,000 (2014)
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1/4 oz. Fine Silver Coin - Animal Architects: Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Mintage: 10,000 (2014)

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1/4 oz. Fine Silver Coin - Animal Architects: Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Mintage: 10,000 (2014)

Archived
$69.95 CAD
Mintage: 10,000
Canada and US only
Not available in store

Third and final coin in the beautiful series of animal architects!

Few metamorphoses are as dramatic as the one experienced by the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), which are a welcome sight during the summer across the many regions of Canada. Its beautifully patterned black and orange wings easily make the species one of the most recognisable butterflies found in North America; however, this iconic form is only attained during the final stage of its life cycle, after it sheds its brightly striped caterpillar form and develops within the safety of the chrysalis that encases it.

The process begins when the caterpillar spins a silk pad on the underside of a milkweed (Asclepias) leaf and attaches its hind claspers to it. Now suspended with its head facing downwards, the caterpillar's life depends on the strength of this attachment. Twisting around, the caterpillar sheds its skin to reveal a moist exoskeleton that hardens to a waxy, green-coloured coating. The chrysalis darkens and becomes transparent over the course of nine to 15 days, during which time the pupa develops inside. The butterfly soon emerges (after approximately 10 days with a little assistance from gravity as it pushes down and outwards to split the chrysalis. Now free, the butterfly will rest on its former enclosure while expanding its wings in preparation for its first flight.

Did you know…
•   Many think of a butterfly chrysalis as a "cocoon" but this isn't accurate – a chrysalis is made of protein (like the caterpillar's skin) while a cocoon is made of silk and is often associated with moths.
•   The milkweed (Asclepias) is both home and a food source for the Monarch caterpillar. It will eat nothing but milkweed leaves day and night until it becomes a chrysalis, and then will not eat again until it emerges as an adult butterfly.  The milkweed also protects the Monarch – its toxins build up in the caterpillar's system, meaning the Monarch will be poisonous to many predators for the rest of its life!

A striking addition to any insect-, Canadiana- or nature-themed collection, or those featuring colour and photo-image designs. Order yours today!

Special features:
•   Your coin is the third and final coin in our animal architects series.
•   Selective colouring on your coin brings to life the beautiful bright colouring of the Monarch caterpillar, as well as the green tones of the milkweed leaf it both inhabits and feasts upon.
•   The detailed rendition of the Monarch's chrysalis exemplifies the Royal Canadian Mint's renowned artistry and craftsmanship.
•   Crafted from fine silver (99.99% pure), your coin features a beautiful mirror-like proof finish.
•   Your coin is a beautiful gift for nature lovers.
•   Your coin is GST/HST exempt with a limited worldwide mintage.

Design:
Designed by Canadian artist Trevor Tennant, your coin features a beautifully detailed side profile of a Monarch caterpillar. Selective colour application showcases the caterpillar's bright yellow, black and white stripes as it crawls along a bright green milkweed leaf – a plant that plays an integral part in the Monarch's early life cycles. A large chrysalis is engraved in the background as a reminder of the Monarch's next stage, at which time it will enclose itself during its metamorphosis into one of Canada's most recognizable butterflies.

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

Order your coin today!

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Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
1/4 oz. Fine Silver Coin - Animal Architects: Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Mintage: 10000 (2014)
 
4.8

(based on 4 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • One of A kind (3)

Cons

No Cons

Best Uses

No Best Uses
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (4)

Reviewed by 4 customers

Displaying reviews 1-4

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6/3/2015
 
5.0

work of art

By nina

from montreal

About Me Quality Driven

Pros

  • Amazing
  • Attractive Design
  • Good Value
  • Great Quality
  • One Of A Kind
  • Unique

Cons

    Best Uses

      Comments about 1/4 oz. Fine Silver Coin - Animal Architects: Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Mintage: 10000 (2014):

      will leave my collection to my daughter who lives in new York as she is truly Canadian in her heart

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

       - You may also flag this review

      7/22/2014
       
      5.0

      Monarch coin reigns supreme

      By Ron

      from Cedar Valley, Ontaion

      Verified Buyer

      Comments about 1/4 oz. Fine Silver Coin - Animal Architects: Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Mintage: 10000 (2014):

      This caterpillar appears ready to crawl right off the coin and begin making a chrysalis of its own.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

       - You may also flag this review

      6/16/2014

      (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      this coin

      By spifman

      from ontario

      Pros

      • One Of A Kind

      Cons

        Best Uses

          Comments about 1/4 oz. Fine Silver Coin - Animal Architects: Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Mintage: 10000 (2014):

          why would the mint make a Canadian coin series about animal architects and end the series without making a darn beaver?

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          5/30/2014

          (8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Creepy Crawler and Then Cute Butterfly!!

          By Firebreak

          from Greenville, PA.

          About Me Bargain Hunter, Colorized Coin Collector, Disabled Veteran, Father, Grandfather, Quality Driven

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • Attractive Design
          • Good Value
          • Great Quality
          • Low Mintage
          • One Of A Kind
          • Solid Silver
          • Unique

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Gift For Adult
            • Gift For Child
            • Holiday Gift
            • Special Occasion
            • Wedding/Anniversary Gift

            Comments about 1/4 oz. Fine Silver Coin - Animal Architects: Caterpillar and Chrysalis - Mintage: 10000 (2014):

            It's sad the Series must end. But, all good things indeed do come to an end. Like the first two in this series this one also ranks at the top with the rest. Any Colorized Coin Collector will love putting this in their Personal Collection. The colors of Life is displayed well on this coin. Then you have the fact it's issued in Solid Silver. Wished it was a little bigger although the other coins in this series are of the same size. As far as collecting it, there is a very low mintage which should appeal to the Investor side of anyone. I could see this coin selling out in a few months. The Royal Canadian Mint deserves an applause for reaching out with different points of view for a coin. Another FINE JOB!!

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

            Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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            Specifications

            • No.130534
            • Mintage10,000
            • Compositionfine silver (99.99% pure)
            • Finishproof
            • Weight (g) 7.96
            • Diameter (mm) 27
            • Edgeserrated
            • Certificateserialized
            • Face value3 dollars
            • ArtistTrevor Tennant (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)

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