- Country:Canada
- Collection:Platinum Commemorative $5
- Metal:Platinum
- Year:2014
- Denomination:$5
- Finish:Proof
- Weight (oz):0.1
- Purity:0.9995
- Mintage:1638
- Product type:Coin
A day in the life of the Bald Eagle is filled with activity from dusk until dawn and beyond. From the moment it awakens, the eagle is at work-tending to itsnest, soaring high, hunting, feeding its young, andtaking pause to eat and rest. Now, while he is at rest, let's take a moment to study this apex hunter's fearsome countenance.
Dominated by a massive, sharply curved yellow beak, the adult eagle's distinctive head is covered to the neck with long, smooth white feathers. The arrangement of the feathers above its large golden eyes gives the adult eagle a frowning appearance that is perhaps a factor in the bird's symbolic associations with power. The most important attribute on this iconic head, however, is the eyes. It is this gifted vision that empowers the eagle to spot relatively small prey underwater or in grassy plains while soaring hundreds of metres in the airdespite these prey animals' natural camouflage.
¥ The amazing Bald Eagle-Haliaeetus leucocephalus-is Canada's largest bird of prey and the only eagle exclusive to North America.
¥ An eagle's vision is about four times more powerful than that of humans.
¥ Eagles see in full colour.
¥ Eagle eyes have two focal centres, allowing the bird to see both in front and behind in a single glance.
¥ Translucent nictitating membranes allowan eagle to "blink" without disrupting its gaze.
¥ Females are generally larger than males.
¥ This long-lived bird can survive nearly 30 years in the wild and even longer in captivity.
¥ Bald Eagles nest across much of Canada, from Yukon eastward to Newfoundland. Theyare most common along the Pacific coast, but concentrations also occur in the prairie provinces, northwestern Ontario, parts of Quebec, and on Cape Breton Island.
¥ Bald Eagles are protected in Canada and the United States.
The Bald Eagle breathes through "naris" or nostrils oneach side of its large beak. The beak itself, though impressive in size and shape, is used almost exclusively for tearing food and does not play a major role in hunting or fighting-the tasks of thebird's massive talons.
An apex predator with no natural enemies as an adult, the Bald Eagle has long been a potent symbol of vision, power, and stoicism. The adult boasts a wing span of more than 2 metres, a standing height of about 1 metre, and an average weight of up to 7 kilograms. Nesting in tall trees near large bodies of water and well away from human habitation, Bald Eagles survive on a diet of fish,birds, invertebrates, and small mammals, but are opportunistic feeders who will also steal from other predators and eat carrion.
Celebrate the life and habits of an astonishing Canadian predator, struck in 99.95% pure platinum in an engraved work of stunning artistry. Order yours today!
Special features:
¥ Your premium coin is part of our 2014 five-part series of fine silver, gold, and platinum coins featuring four "day in the life" scenes of the iconicBald Eagle.
¥ Shown against a brilliant mirror background, the striking features of the Bald Eagle have been carefully detailed and highlighted with a soft matte finish.
¥ Viewed together, the series showcases the variety of finishes-from matte to brilliant mirror-used by our engravers to bring life and energy to every image.
¥ Your coin is a prestigious addition to your Canadiana, history or commemorative display.
¥ Collect the entire series to complete the story of a day in the life of the great Bald Eagle as it rests, soars, hunts, and returns to its perch with the day's food.
¥ Your coin is certified 99.99% pure silver, is GST/HST exempt and has a limited worldwide mintage.
Design:
Designed by Canadian artist Derek C. Wicksyour coin features a striking portrait of an eagle head in three-quarter profile. Viewed from its left side, the raptor fixes the viewer with its legendarygaze, its wide left eye staring powerfully below a snowy feathered brow. The intricate patterns of its white head feathers and dark neck feathers are rendered in dimensional detail by Royal Canadian Mint Engravers, as are the sharp contours of its hooked beak.
