THUNDERBIRD Indigenous Art Silver Coin 25$ Canada 2018

The reverse design by Northwest Coast artist Andy Everson presents a legendary mythological creature, the Thunderbird, a supernatural force of nature. Ultra high relief engraving mimics the deeply sculpted nature of traditional Kwakwaka'wakw carvings, and gives the Thunderbird the appearance of emerging from the coin's silver surface. It is said that with every blink, the Thunderbird sends lightning bolts flashing across the sky, and every beat of its wings emits tremendous thunderclaps; in keeping with the expressive art style of the Kwakwaka'wakw, a selective application of colours add to the visual storytelling by drawing attention to the Thunderbird's features and heightening the dramatic intensity of the lightning bolts. On top of the reverse, the inscriptions: "CANADA" – the issuing country, "25 DOLLARS" – the face value. On the left, the inscription: "2018" – the year of issue. The obverse of the coin depicts the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the inscriptions: "ELIZABETH II" – the name of the Queen, "D·G·REGINA" – Dei Gratia Regina.