2011 Canadian $5 Full Buck Moon Sterling Silver & Niobium Coin
 
Timekeeper for the Algonquin people
In North America, the First Nations tribes that comprise the Algonquin people looked to the moon to track time. They assigned a name to every full moon to reflect the seasonal activities that accompanied each cycle. Theirs was a vast territory that extended from Lake Superior to the eastern seaboard, resulting in a variety of names throughout the Algonquin community. The buck, hunter, wolf and pink full moons represent summer, autumn, winter and spring.
July is the quintessential month of summer. Its full moon is known as Thunder Moon or Summer Moon, but its most common name is Buck Moon to reflect the fact that bucks in the North American wilderness are beginning to grow new antlers—a vision of elegance and strength inspired by the ever-changing cycle of life.
 
Highlights
By undertaking the technical complexities of producing a niobium coin, these Royal Canadian Mint “firsts” set the bar high for unmatched colour and lustre. Each niobium core was selectively oxidized to create a unique finish—no two coins are exactly alike!
 
Features
• Limited to 7,500 coins worldwide.
• Hand polished! The field (flat background) has a highly hand polished mirror-like finish
• Distinct and innovative minting process: Niobium insert is struck into the core of a sterling silver coin and then selectively colored through a unique oxidization process made possible by the special properties of this metal.
• Unique maple wooden flip case houses each coin
 
Design
A young buck stands poised before a full Summer moon. Each colouring selectively applied to the niobium insert enhances the season’s theme.
 
Packaging
2011 Canadian $5 Full Buck Moon Sterling Silver & Niobium Coin comes encapsulated and presented in a maple wooden display case lined with flock, black beauty box and Certificate of Authenticity.