Composition : 99.99% gold
Mintage : 600

King of the Arctic

Themajesticpolarbearisafittingiconforanationthat,like Ursusmaritimus itself,hasbeenshapedby the forces of ice, wind, water and stone. Stoic and strong, adaptable and clever, the polar bear has long captivated the Canadian imagination and been held up as a symbol of the northern spirit. As master of its icy domain, the polarbearalsoremindsusoftheongoingimportanceofCanada'sArcticsovereignty - and,increasingly,of the need to protect and preserve a region that is becoming more vulnerable in the face of a changing global climate.

Ofthe19circumpolarpopulationsof Ursusmaritimus,comprisingabout25,000members,thegreatest number - about15,000 - residesintheCanadianArctic.Thistrulymassivelandanimalcanexceed600 kilograms,measures about 1.7metresat shoulderheight whenstandingonallfours,andcanreachnearly4 metreswhenstandingonitshindlegs.Itlivesmostofitslifeonthe snow-coveredArcticseaice,feeding primarily on fat-rich ringed and bearded seals at open water holes called "leads."

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AsworldwidefascinationwiththepolarbearanditsArctichabitatgrows,wecanremainhopefulthatthe incrediblesurvivalskillsthatmakeitsosymbolicallypoignantforCanadianswillalsohelptopreservethis amazing animal for the long term.

This coin is the first issue of the Iconic Canadian Animals collection.
The first coin of the series, released in 2013, depicts the Iconic Polar Bear.
 

ICONIC CANADIAN ANIMALS - ICONIC POLAR BEAR - 2013 CANADIAN COINS 01 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 07- PURE GOLD and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.