Canadian 2012 $5 Full Pink Moon Silver and Niobium Coin Sells Out

The Royal Canadian Mint this month released the 2012 $5 Algonquin Full Pink Moon Silver and Niobium Coin, and it has already sold out.

This strike is the last of four selectively anodized silver and niobium coins featuring reverse designs celebrating the ancient tradition of the full moons of the Algonquin.

Each of these coins is struck from 92.5% sterling silver with a niobium plug used on the reverse. The plug is selectively anodized to give it a pink hue.

Previous strikes in the series included coins depicting the Full Buck Moon, the Full Hunter Moon and the Full Wolf Moon. The plugs of the previous coins were oxidized differently than the current coin resulting in different colors made possible by the special properties of niobium.

The Algonquin people used different names to describe the different full moons of the year thus enabling them to track the seasons. However, as a lunar month is only twenty-nine days long, the actual dates of the moons changed annually.

A complete list of the Algonquin Full Moons is offered below:

• January – Full Wolf Moon
• February – Full Snow Moon
• March – Full Worm Moon
• April – Full Pink Moon
• May – Full Flower Moon
• June – Full Strawberry Moon
• July – Full Buck Moon
• August – Full Sturgeon Moon
• September – Full Harvest Moon
• October – Full Hunter’s Moon
• November – Full Beaver Moon
• December – Full Cold Moon

As shown in the list above, the Full Pink Moon is associated with the month of April and thus is linked to the season of Spring.

Full Pink Moon Coin Designs and Specifications

The reverse of the Full Pink Moon Silver and Niobium Coin contains a design by Canadian artist John Mantha. It depicts a cluster of phlox plants blossoming before a full moon indicative of the season of Spring. The pink coloring of the niobium plug is meant to enhance that springtime theme. Reverse inscriptions on the coin include "CANADA" and "5 DOLLARS."

As legal tender of Canada, the obverse contains a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The portrait is the work of Susanna Blunt and is surrounded by the inscriptions of "ELIZABETH II," "D G REGINA" and "2012."

Each coin is struck to proof quality and features a diameter of 28 mm with a weight of 8.5 grams. The Royal Canadian Mint presents each coin encapsulated inside a maple wooden flip presentation case.

A numbered certificate of authenticity is also included with each coin. The certificate indicates the maximum mintage for the coin of just 7,500.

These coins were sold directly from the Royal Canadian Mint for $121.95 CAD. Collectors who missed out in ordering will now need to look for the coin in the secondary market.