He is best remembered for monumental work like "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii," but Iljuwas (Bill Reid) began his creative career as a goldsmith. His jewellery pieces represent Haidatradition. Beautifully executed in 99.99% pure gold, this finely engraved rendering of Bill Reid'sXhuwaji, Haida Grizzly Bear epitomizes the artist's craft on the 100th anniversary of his birth. It is an exquisite celebration of a legacy forever preserved in precious metals, argillite, wood and other mediums.

Buy this pure gold version of our 2020 tribute to Haida artist Bill Reid. Order today.

• OUR 2020 TRIBUTE TO HAIDA ARTIST BILL REID: A 1 oz. pure gold version of the 2020 $2 commemorative circulation coin.
• METICULOUSLY SCULPTED DESIGN: A complex combination of different coin finishes adds depth to the meticulously crafted numismatic work ofart, and all in 99.99% pure gold.
• IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ART: A text-free reverse (no legend) honours Bill Reid's ceremonial drum design and keeps the focus solely on his iconic work of art.
• A PROUD CELEBRATION OF CULTURE that honours the artist on the 100th anniversary of his birth and showcases the Royal Canadian Mint's world-renowned craftsmanship.
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE: The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.
• LIMITED WORLDWIDE MINTAGE: Your coin has a limited worldwide mintage of 400.
• 1 OZ. PURE GOLD: Your coin is crafted from one ounce of 99.99% pure gold.
• NO GST/HST

The reverse design features an engraved rendering of Xhuwaji, Haida Grizzly Bear by renowned Haida artist Bill Reid (1920-1998). The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

• Bill Reid's Xhuwaji, Haida Grizzly Bear first appeared on a ceremonial drum crafted by the Sam family of Ahousat, B.C. Two years later, the design was adapted for reproduction as silkscreen prints, with proceeds benefitting the Artists for KidsTrust.
• Xuu.ajii (Grizzly Bear) was a favourite character of Bill Reid's and he often used it in his jewelry designs and sculpture. Xuu.ajii is an important crest among the Haida Nation and plays a significant role in ancient Haida narratives.
• The Skidegate Haida spelling for Grizzly Bear has evolved since Reid created Xhuwaji, Haida Grizzly Bear. Today, the word for GrizzlyBear is spelled xuu.ajii. This is because in recentdecades, the spelling and phonetic structure of theHaida language have been refined through the efforts to revitalise the language by community members, particularly Elders, via the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program (SHIP).

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

Order today.

The coin[s] feature[s] an adaptation of the following artwork by Bill Reid:
Xhuwaji, Haida Grizzly Bear, 1990