2017 Dog Sledding Under the Northern Lights Silver Coin

Once the choice mode of winter transportation for Aboriginal peoples, dog sledding is a much-loved seasonal activity in Canada. Even as a sport, its popularity is easy to understand: there's the thrill of the speed; the cold winter air that heightens the senses; the infectious energy of the dogs lunging forward and working in tandem; and the solitude that can only be found in the Canadian wilderness—particularly at night, with only the moon or the northern lights to light the way. This is Iconic Canada! Whether landscape, flora, fauna or tradition, symbolic icons that are so identifiably Canadian bring us together "with glowing hearts." 

• NEW COLLECTORS WELCOME! Whether you're new to coin collecting, or sharing the hobby with a loved one, this is the perfect introduction to the world of numismatic coins! 
• COLOURS FIT FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS! Few natural phenomena stir emotions like the aurora borealis, which is presented here in cutting-edge colour. The coin allows you to experience nature's light show year-round! 
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE! The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins. Most of these are serialized certifications, meaning that each certificate is given a unique number, starting at 1.
• 99.99% PURE SILVER COIN! 

Designed by Claudio D'Angelo, your coin features a dog sled team riding out in the Canadian wilderness beneath the aurora borealis on a cold winter night. Nature's silent hold on the wintry landscape is temporarily disrupted by the arrival of a dog sledding team, which infuses the cold air with barking and an infectious, almost boundless energy. Working in tandem, these four harnessed dogs merrily make their way along the path, pulling the sled and their driver (musher) behind them at a moderate pace across the wintry landscape. Viewed from a lower vantage point that places the focus on the lead dogs, the huskies seemingly smile as they race under a starry sky. The musher is bundled up and well equipped for the journey on this clear night. There is no race here—just him and the solitude of the great outdoors, while the greenish hue of the aurora borealis dances overhead in the blue-black sky. It's the Great White North at its grandest!

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a black beauty box.

• Mintage15,000
• Composition 99.99% pure silver
• Finishmatte proof
• Weight (g) 15.87
• Diameter (mm) 34
• Edgeserrated
• Certificateserialized
• Face value10 dollars
• ArtistClaudio D'Angelo (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)