**The second Wondrous Waters coin invites you to head due north.**

Canada’s coastline is the longest in the world and two-thirds of it lies in the Arctic. Most of this coastline wraps around the many islands that lie near the top of the world, such as Baffin Island and the Queen Elizabeth Islands. Nowhere is the connection between land and sea more evident than along our vast northern coast, where life follows the seasonal cycle of sea ice—a critical habitat for polar bears, seals and more. As represented on our second This Is Canada: Wondrous Waters coin, the Arctic coast is teeming with hidden wonders and endless beauty—from iconic wildlife to the tundra landscape that comes alive each summer, and the cultural ways that have left a deep imprint on Canada’s northern identity.

Coin #2: This is our Arctic coast. This is Canada.

Good to know

Canada in all its splendour. A new annual series, This Is Canada brings you some of the wonders and wildlife that are synonymous with this country. This is Canada—in the hearts and minds of Canadians, and in the eyes of the world.

The trip begins in 2024. A different theme is featured each year! In 2024, the theme is Wondrous Waters and there are four coins to collect. Complete the set!

From shore to shore. This snapshot of the Arctic is the second of four Wondrous Waters coins issued in 2024, with each piece featuring a different view of the bodies of water that surround Canada. Previous: Coin 1: Pacific Coast. Next up: Coin 3: Atlantic Coast, Coin 4: Great Lakes

Classic Canadiana. A fun series for all ages, this coin-by-coin trip across Canada represents more than an armchair travel experience—it’s a year-long adventure in collecting!

Regional art. Crafted in 99.99% pure silver, each coin features a reverse design by a regional artist.

A guiding compass. The compass frame appears on every coin in this Wondrous Waters series. It is a symbol of curiosity, discovery and exploration. It’s also a visual reminder of just how vast Canada is!

Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

No GST/HST.

Did you know?

While the Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world’s oceans, Canada’s Arctic and northern region is incredibly vast—it represents nearly 40 percent of this country’s total landmass and freshwater.

Berry picking and gathering wild plants is an important cultural activity in Inuit Nunangat, especially in late summer and fall. Arctic cranberries, blueberries, cloudberries and crowberries are some of the most commonly picked varieties.

Canada’s Arctic is home to beluga whales and narwhals, as well as two-thirds of the world’s polar bear population.

Behind closed doors

"My art depicts pieces of my heart and every element of my design is a memory, a story about living along the Arctic Coast. Animal tracks are evidence of life, and we find the spirits of our ancestors in harmony with the caribou, polar bear, snowy owl, and beluga whale. The landscape highlights the majestic beauty of the coast, from shorelines dotted with pingos and beaches scattered with driftwood carried by the north-flowing rivers, to the receding permafrost that unveils our history and exposes the fragility of the Arctic. The berry harvester is my favourite: it represents the beauty and mouth-watering tastes the Arctic coast has to offer, the soul food that has nourished each generation from as far back as our stories go, all harvested under the light of the sun and moon by people who call the Arctic home."

—Myrna Pokiak, Artist

About the design

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

Reverse: Canada's Arctic Coast

Your coin’s reverse presents an artistic representation of Canada’s Arctic coast. Designed by Inuvialuit artist Myrna Pokiak and inspired by the artist’s experiences, the moonlit scene features a berry picker to represent traditional foods and harvest activities on land, where the flat tundra is punctuated by a pingo. A snowy owl has taken flight and the tail of a beluga whale appears in the water that lines the shore, which is marked by caribou tracks and those of a polar bear. The beach is also lined with driftwood carried to the Arctic coast by rivers and ocean currents, making it a symbol of interconnectedness. Compass elements form a frame that contains the word “CANADA” and a face value of “20 DOLLARS”.

Obverse: His Majesty King Charles III

The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Product # 246039

$20 Pure Silver Coin - This is Canada: Wondrous Waters - Arctic Coast (2024)