Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Invention of Basketball, the Royal Canadian Mint is now selling a colorized coin depicting the likeness of a basketball.
Adding to the unique nature of this piece, its reverse is convex to emulate a basketball’s rounded shape.
James Naismith of Almonte, Ontario invented basketball in 1891. It is said he created the game to keep athletes active during the cold winter months while teaching Physical Education at the International Young Men’s Christian Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Coin Designs and Specifications
The convex curvature of the coin’s reverse showcases the likeness of a basketball with its recessed lines and dimpled surface. The colorized ball contrasts against two players in the midst of a heated game.
"In addition to the engineering complexity of the coin’s unusual shape, precision engraving replicates the tactile elements that are famously associated with the basketball — specifically the recessed lines and dimpled surface — while the application of colour captures its iconic orange appearance."
Inscribed around the basketball image are "CANADA" and "1891-2016." Canadian artist Glen Green is credited with the design.
On the obverse or heads side is Susanna Blunt’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Inscriptions read: "ELIZABETH II," "DG REGINA" and the coin’s legal tender face value of "25 DOLLARS."
Coin specifications include:
- Royal Canadian Mint Product No.: 153904
- Mintage: 8500
- Composition: 99.99% pure silver
- Finish: proof
- Weight (g): 30.75
- Diameter (mm): 36.07
- Edge: serrated
- Certificate: serialized
- Face value (CAD): 25 dollars
- Reverse Artist: Glen Green
- Obverse Artist: Susanna Blunt
Pricing and Ordering
The Royal Canadian Mint’s first colorized, convex-shaped collectible is limited to 8,500 coins and sells for CAD $159.95 or about US $123.
Buy 2016 $25 125th Anniversary of the Invention of Basketball Silver Coins directly from the Mint by visiting its website at www.mint.ca.
Each coin ships encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a black beauty box.
