Designed by Ts’msyen artist Morgan Asoyuf, the assembled puzzle pieces depict the cycle of the heavens and the variety of life it supports on the Northwest Coast.

The story begins in the first puzzle-shaped piece located above the centrepiece, where the salmon egg represents the lifecycle of a species that is an integral part of the Ts’msyen traditional way of life. Moving clockwise, the second puzzle piece depicts Mousewoman, known for protecting youth, and a whale fin symbolizing another important species on the Northwest Coast. The third puzzle piece pairs an ovoid – a defining feature of Northwest Coast art – with Raven’s wing. The fourth piece depicts orca’s fin with a salmon egg, as a representation of the coastal ecosystem. The fifth puzzle piece shows the face of an ancestor inside the claw of the nocturnal wolf; the pairing reflects the connection between humans and animals, preserved through the familial crest system. The sixth puzzle piece speaks to the protection of children and depicts Mousewoman within eagle’s wing. The final puzzle piece features a human face that simultaneously represents ancestors and the descendants still to come – a reminder of one’s responsibilities to the land, and to preserving the traditional way of life.

At the centre of it all, the large face is both the moon and sun, which interact with all beings; the matte black portions represent moon shadows and tides, while the radial lines represent sunrays.

Each coin’s obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.