- Country:Canada
- Collection:Silver Commemorative $20
- Metal:Silver
- Year:2015
- Denomination:$20
- Finish:Complete
- Weight (oz):1.009
- Purity:0.9999
- Mintage:1857
- Product type:Coin
A WORLD FIRST: Made with ancient Japanese sword-making technique! Order yours today before they're all gone!
Just as the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games will bring together different cultures under its motto United We Play!, the coin's reverse features the symbolic representation of this theme. The groundbreaking use of mokume gane* on the reverse's maple leaf is particularly fitting: layers of different metal alloys are united, fused together to create one useable material that is cut, forged and pressed tocreate the motif on Canada's national symbol. The patterns are distinct and unique from one coin to another, yet this extra detail infuses the design with energy alongside the curved lines and pictograms. The motto itself is engraved along the coin's rim in the three official languages of the TORONTO 2015 Games: English, French and Spanish.
For the first time ever, each of these coins is unique as they were crafted with mokume gane*! This ancientJapanese sword-making technique was considered impossible for coins-until now! The melding of copper and silver has created a stunning leaf motif that will be yours alone.
The unique qualities of mokume gane* are symbolic of the Games' celebration of diversity: no two coins will feature thesame pattern on Canada's national symbol, the maple leaf!
Don't be disappointed, order your coin today!
Special features:
¥ A WORLD FIRST! The ancient technique of mokume gane* has never been used before on a coin-until now! In what was previously thought impossible on a coin, the skilful melding of copper and silver produces an eye-catching motif on the reverse's maple leaf, adding vibrancy to the design that matches the energy of the Games.
¥ EACH COIN UNIQUE: No two coins will feature the exact same maple leaf patterning, ensuring a truly one-of-a-kind collectible piece.
¥ OWN THE COMPLETE SET! This is just one ofthree stunning TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games coins. Order all three to make a complete set!
¥ Elements of the coin's design reinforce the Games motto United We Play!, emphasizing inclusion through sport and celebrating the diversity of the Pan Americas region, as athletescome together in Toronto in the summer of 2015.
¥ The medals design team was a collaborative process involving the TO2015 brand and creative services team, the Royal Canadian Mint and artist Christi Belcourt.
¥ Like the medals, your coin features the unique patterns achieved through the ancient technique of mokume gane*, which dates back to 16th century sword making.
¥ The reverse was designed by Christi Belcourt, a M tis visual artist whose work has earned her recognition and awards from the Canadian Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the M tis Nation of Ontario.
About the Design:
This coin celebrates the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games by bringing together Aboriginal art and elements associated with the Games in an engaging manner. Inspired by the Games logo, curved pictograms emphasize the theme of inclusion through sport; to the left, a ball is used to represent the sun rising in the sky over the Games. Traditionally considered the lifebloodof the earth, the element of water as a sustainingforce for athletes and its fluidity are symbolized in the curved lines that represent the rivers, lakes and oceans of the Pan Americas. While skilful engraving adds beautiful detail to the richly layered design, the groundbreaking use of mokume gane* draws the eye to the maple leaf insert. In keeping with the Games theme of coming together, the effect is first created by the fusion of different metal alloys to create one base material, which is then carved, forged and shaped. This creates the intricate pattern symbolizing the blood, sweat and tears of each athlete's journey to TORONTO 2015, while the one-of-a-kind nature of each coin's motif reinforces the Games' overall celebration of diversity. Along the image field, the motto United We Play! is engraved in the three official languages of the TORONTO 2015 Games: English, French and Spanish.
The Pan Am and Parapan Am Games are held every four years, in the year preceding the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games. They have been held twice before in Canada, in 1967 and 1999, both times in Winnipeg, Manitoba. TORONTO 2015 -the "People's Games"-emphasize accessibility and the coming together of 41 countries and territories through the power of sport and culture.
Did you know?
¥ The very first Pan American Games took place in 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while the first Parapan American Games took place in 1999 in Mexico City.
¥ The Games are held every four years, on the year preceding the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games.
¥ The Pan American Games have been held twice before in Canada, in 1967 and 1999 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
¥ The Royal Canadian Mint has proudly designed and produced the unique gold, silver and bronze medals to be awarded to the winning athletes and para-athletes of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
