WINNIPEG, Jan. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Today at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a 99.99% fine gold collector coin with a 50-cent face value honouring Canadian Inuit Art.
"Canada has a proud history of Inuit art and this beautifully crafted coin reveals the mystical connection the Inuit people share with nature and the spirit world -a powerful image carved from an ancient and enduring culture," said Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South. "Our Government would also like to congratulate the Winnipeg Art Gallery on celebrating its centennial in 2012-13."
"The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to celebrate Canada's history, culture and values with special collector coins," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "This gold coin honours Canadian Inuit art through an intricate design inspired by the original carving of Inuit artist Joannassie Nowkawalk, Owl Shaman holding Goose, part of the Winnipeg Art Gallery's world-class contemporary Inuit art collection."
The coin's reverse design of the owl's round and compact shape conveys the solid physique, adaptations and strength that are essential to surviving in the Arctic while the captured goose reveals the owl's prowess as a hunter.
"As Canada's first civic art gallery celebrating our centenary in 2012-13, we were honoured to open our Inuit collection, the largest contemporary collection in the world, to the Royal Canadian Mint to select the perfect sculpture to inspire this fine gold coin," said Dr. Stephen Borys, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Limited to a world-wide mintage of 10,000 coins, this precious collectible retails for $129.95 CAD and can be ordered by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. It is also available at the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint's history, its products and services, please visit www.mint.ca.
Images of the Owl Shaman holding Goose gold coin are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected].
Image with caption: "Dr. Stephen Borys, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Bonnie Staples-Lyon of the Royal Canadian Mint Board of Directors and Rod Bruinooge, MP (Winnipeg South), officially launch a 1/25 oz pure gold coin featuring Owl Shaman Holding Goose, a historic sculpture from the Gallery's famous Inuit art collection, in Winnipeg, Manitoba (January 15, 2013). (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130115_C5976_PHOTO_EN_22603.jpg
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint
Alex Reeves
Senior Manager, Communications
Tel: 613-949-5777
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