This coin is part of a series of seven coins that celebrate the First Nations spiritual belief in the Seven Sacred Teachings, which are Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility and Truth. These teachings have a history that runs old and deep into early aboriginal culture, and are still practised by many First Nations peoples across Canada. The coin displays a stylized, empowering image of a figure carrying arrows on their back, shadowed by the figure of a large bear; this illustration, by Metis artist Nathalie Bertin, is in honour of Courage, the third Sacred Teaching. The bear has been culturally and religiously entwined with the idea of courage in First Nations history for a long time. Although the bear is by nature quite gentle and mild, and often more afraid of us than we are of it, it is capable of intense ferocity and rage should her cubs be threatened. This exemplifies the concept of courage in the face of the unknown, as the bear overcomes her own timid nature with mental and moral strength to protect her children. This is a lesson to us as humans that our great challenges and fears must be met with the same vigour and intensity as a mother bear defending her cubs. This one ounce coin is masterfully crafted in 99.99% pure silver with selective gold plating that brings a level of elegance to the surface of the coin. This limited-edition work of art is the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in First Nations spirituality.
Diameter: 40mm
Weight: 31.83g
Fineness: 0.9999
Finish: Proof
Material: Pure silver with selective gold
Bullion Weight: 1 Troy Ounce
Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II
Reverse: Bear behind warrior
Finish: Proof
Series: The Seven Sacred Teachings
Quantity Produced: 7,000
Artist: Nathalie Bertin
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