Signs of zodiac Canada 30$ 2024 99,99% Silver Coloured Coin 62,69 g

Face value: 30 Canadian dollars
Composition 99.99% pure silver
Finish: proof
Weight: 62,69 g
Diameter: 50 mm
Mintage 4,000

The stargazers of ancient Greece referred to it as zodiakos kyklos, the “circle of animals,” and on this 99.99% pure silver coin from the Royal Canadian Mint, the artistic representation of the Zodiac was partly inspired by the marble statues of the Classical period. Running counter clockwise in zodiacal order around the Sun and Moon, each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac – from Aries (“1”) to Pisces (“12”) – is represented by a classical figure in the outer circle and a corresponding glyph in the inner portion, while touches of celestial colours speak to humanity’s fascination with the night sky.

Enhanced with selective colour, the reverse design by artist Steve Hepburn features an engraved celestial illustration of the Sun and Moon surrounded by the 12 signs of the Zodiac. Inspired by classical Greek sculpture, the figures representing each sign on the outer circle are paired with their corresponding glyph in the second band, which is set against a colourful night sky, and these are numbered based on their zodiacal order (beginning at the top and moving in a counterclockwise direction): Aries (“1”), Taurus (“2”), Gemini (“3”), Cancer (“4”), Leo (“5”), Virgo (“6”), Libra (“7”), Scorpio (“8”), Sagittarius (“9”), Capricorn (“10”), Aquarius (“11”) and Pisces (“12”). The 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.

Steve Hepburn, Artist
“Next time you’re checking out the astrology section in your paper or online, remember that the earliest recorded horoscope dates back to the 4th century BCE in ancient Mesopotamia—this should give you some perspective on our enduring fascination with astrology. With their deep symbolic meaning and unique characters, the signs of the zodiac are a wonderful subject for any artist to work with. This was a fun project to be a part of, and that I’ll never look at the daily horoscope section the same way again!”