Royal Canadian Mint

20 dollars

31,6 g

40 mm

Silver 999,9°

7500 pcs.

Sheer effect colourization

Engraved rendition of photograph by David Cooper (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)

Royal Canadian Mint

The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The reverse is an engraved rendition of a photograph by one of Canada’s foremost dance photographers, David Cooper. There is a breathtaking quality to the original design, which presents an overhead view of six dancers from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of The Sleeping Beauty. Their arms outstretched and intertwined, the dancers form a snowflake-like pattern as they lean forward, right legs extended in front of them so that their pointe shoes meet at the centre. The dazzling, intricate beauty of their soft-coloured costumes is recreated through the first-time use of the Royal Canadian Mint’s new “Sheer Effect” colourization technique, which adds a sparkle to the embellished velvety costumes.

This coin marks the debut of two outstanding innovations from the Royal Canadian Mint: the “Sheer Effect” colourization technique that adds sparkle to the dancers’ embellished platter tutus, and exclusive packaging that complements the coin design. The coin is enclosed in a custom, velvet-lined presentation case that functions like a music box: whenever opened, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s mesmerising ballet score, Sleeping Beauty (Valse), is played. The overall effect is a wonderful celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and one of ballet’s timeless classics.