2016 Canadian Silver Coin Series Features Migratory Birds

Colorful depictions of four North American birds grace a new series of 99.99% pure silver coins from the Royal Canadian Mint. Named the Migratory Birds Convention Series, the first coin from the collection shows a Mountain Bluebird. It is available individually or as a part of a 4-coin subscription.

Each program coin commemorates the Migratory Birds Convention treaty signed in 1916 between Canada and the United States.

The agreement "stands as a groundbreaking milestone in the history of wildlife conservation," describes the Royal Canadian Mint. "It’s enforced by Canada’s Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA, 1917) and America’s Migratory Birds Treaty Act (MBCA, 1918) both of which protect species, nests and eggs from unregulated hunting or commercial activities."

The complete four-coin collection features the following issues:

• Mountain Bluebird (available now)
• American Avocet (ships in June 2016)
• American Goldfinch (ships in August 2016)
• Pileated Woodpecker (ships in November 2016)

All bear colorful reverse (tails side) designs showcasing the specified North American bird. For example, the Mountain Bluebird coin design by Canadian artist Claudio D’Angelo offers the creature in flight over an open meadow. CANADA, 2016 and the legal tender face values of 20 DOLLARS is inscribed around each image.

Susanna Blunt’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II appears on each obverse (heads side) along with the subscriptions of ELIZABETH II, D G REGINA, 1 OZ FINE SILVER 9999 and 1 OZ ARGENT PUR 9999.

Specifications, as provided by the Royal Canadian Mint, include:

• Mintage: 6,500
• Composition: 99.99% pure silver
• Finish: proof
• Weight (g): 31.39
• Diameter (mm): 38
• Edge: serrated
• Certificate: serialized
• Face value: 20 dollars
• Reverse Artist: Claudio D’Angelo
• Obverse Artist: Susanna Blunt

Ordering

Pricing per coin is CAD $99.95, or about US $79. Those purchasing the subscription will receive each coin automatically and will be charged when a coin ships.

The individual 2016 $20 Mountain Bluebird Silver Coin and 4-coin subscription may be ordered directly from the Royal Canadian Mint at mint.ca. Here are affiliate links to the Mint’s first silver coin and the 4-coin subscription.

A serialized certificate is included with each purchase along with an illustrated shipping box.