Canadian 2012 $20 Silver Polar Bear Commemorative Coin at Face Value

Expanding on the immense popularity of its "Exchange $20 for $20" program, the Royal Canadian Mint has launched the third coin in the series with the $20 Silver Polar Bear Commemorative Coin.

These .9999 fine silver specimen quality coins showcase the image of a polar bear. The strikes are available now from the Royal Canadian Mint at the face value of $20, and are sure to move quickly if collectors follow the same pattern as seen for the two previous releases.

The $20 Silver Maple Leaf Commemorative Coin was the first strike issued in the series and debuted in February 2011. In just twenty-nine days, the entire mintage of 200,000 had been sold despite initially being available only in Canada and having a household order limit of three coins.

That impressive record was once again repeated with the release of the second coin in the series, the $20 Silver Canoe Commemorative Coin. It was first issued in October 2011 and was available for thirty-four days when the increased mintage of 250,000 had been reached, once again with a household order limit of three.

Polar Bear Commemorative Coin Designs and Specifications

The $20 Silver Polar Bear Commemorative Coin, like the previous two releases, is composed of 99.99% pure silver with a diameter of 27mm. It has a total weight of 7.96 grams.

This gives each strike an approximate melt value of one quarter ounce of pure silver. Based on a silver spot of $33 an ounce, each would have a melt value of approximately $8.25.

Shown on the reverse of the commemorative is a polar bear design by Emily S. Damstra. The bear is shown swimming in water with its head just above the surface. Reverse inscriptions around the design include "20 DOLLARS", "ARGENT PUR FINE SILVER 9999", "CANADA" and the date of "2012." The inscriptions of "ED" are also shown on the reverse representing the designer.

Struck as legal tender of Canada with a face value of $20, the obverse contains the Susanna Blunt effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Around the portrait are the inscriptions of "ELIZABETH II" and "DG REGINA".

While still available, the Silver Polar Bear Commemorative Coin may be purchased directly from the Royal Canadian Mint website (www.mint.ca) for $20 each, plus shipping and handling. A limit of three per household is in effect.

The maximum mintage for the strike is 250,000.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.