2011 Legendary Nature

Image Date of Issue Animal Mintage
January 2012 Wood Bison -6,250,000
January 2012 Wood Bison – Colourized (Green) - 6,250,000
February 2012 Orca -6,250,000
February 2012 Orca – Colourized (Blue) - 6,250,000
March 2012 Peregrine Falcon - 6,250,000
March 2012 Peregrine Falcon – Colourized (Yellow - 6,250,000

Commemorative issue
Obverse: Effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Lettering: ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA

Reverse: Peregrine Falcon Design

Lettering: CANADA · 25 CENTS 2011

Edge
Reeded

Wood Bison 25-Cents

Though far less prominent than the plains-dwelling North American Bison, almost 200,000 Wood Bison once prospered in the woodlands of the Canadian West, before being reduced to mere hundreds by overhunting and human encroachment at the turn of the twentieth century. The Wood Bison is uniquely Canadian, as it is only in Canada that it can be found living naturally in the wild.

Thanks to the tireless work of Parks Canada in Wood Buffalo and Elk Island National Parks, the nearly extinct Wood Bison population has bounced back to more than 10,000 strong.

This 25-cent circulation coin features an imaginative portrayal of this majestic land animal, enhanced by the addition of colour on half of the 12.5 million Wood Bison coins which began circulating in January 2012. In keeping with its unique tradition of producing the world's only coloured circulation coins, the Mint has added a touch of green on a circular feature appearing behind the Wood Bison, to symbolize its habitat.

Orca 25-Cents

Beginning in February 2012, Canadians can expect to find some of the 12.5 million 25-cent Orca coins which will be placed in circulation from coast to coast to coast. This iconic inhabitant of Canada's Pacific waters, which also cruises our Atlantic shoreline, has great cultural significance to First Nations people of the Canadian West Coast. Also endangered, large pods of this highly social marine mammal find sanctuary near the British Columbia mainland in places such as the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada and the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve.

Peregrine Falcon 25-Cents

Circulating in March 2012, this 25-cent circulation coin pays tribute to a bird species which nearly disappeared due to the use of DDT in the 1950's and 1960's. Brought back from the brink through countless volunteer efforts in cities across Canada and protected wilderness habitats such as New Brunswick's Fundy National Park, the Peregrine Falcon is equally at home in urban and natural environments.

As if proudly displaying its intricately decorated wings on the reverse design of 12.5 million 25-cent circulation coins, this original depiction of a Peregrine Falcon will appear with a sun-like circle of bright yellow colour on half of its mintage.

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