This HUGE 2015 $250 one kilogram pure silver coin (32.15 ounces) is the second to feature mesmerizing enameled eyes, and sold out from the Royal Canadian Mint almost immediately after being issued.  This coin follows the owl coin which also quickly sold out and is now extremely difficult to obtain in the secondary market.  The coin is being called “In the Eyes of the Cougar”, and features a mintage of just 500 pieces. The coin is struck in.9999 pure silver with a diameter of 10cm and a high-quality double or triple struck proof finish. As a pure silver coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is HST/GST exempt.

The Design:

The reverse image by Canadian artist Glen Loates presents a close-up portrait of the cougar. Here, the shy predator’s piercing gaze is decidedly fixed upon the viewer as though each one is studying the other. The selective use of coloured enamel ensures the female cougar’s eyes are the image’s focal point; the distinctive greenish hue recreates the light-reflective qualities of the animal’s eyes, which are protected from the bright light conditions by the contracted pupils. The large cat’s facial features are also rendered in fine detail, from its short fur to its visible whiskers and attentive ears.

Few would contest the cougar’s reputation as a stealthy hunter that relies on its keen senses to survive in remote areas of western Canada. Its exceptional vision is uniquely adapted to allow the cougar to hunt its prey during any time of day – a feature that is beautifully showcased in this incredible $250 coin. Coloured enamel is used to showcase the cougar’s eyes. It creates an impression that the viewer and the animal are locked in an exchange of gazes.  

The Cougar:

Averaging 64kg (140lbs) in weight and up to 3 metres in length, the cougar is noted for its lithe musculature, long hind legs, and a tail that (at almost a metre long) acts as an important counterbalance for the impressive jumper. Cougars are known to disperse up to 1000km from their natal territory to establish their own hunting domains. They are predators of elk, deer, sheep, young moose, and a range of smaller and domesticated animals. Their most necessary requirements when choosing a dwelling are good cover, access to prey, and the privacy that allows the cougar to live the solitary life it enjoys. This solitary elusiveness, however, makes it very difficult for authorities to track and protect the creature.