2012 Canadian $5 Full Wolf Moon Sterling Silver & Niobium Coin
 
Calendar in the sky

We look to the sky to see if rain is coming, but there was a time when people gleaned far more information from gazing upward-particulary at night. Throughout history, cultures around the world have recognized the moonas the guardian of nature's cycles. Its perpetual waxing and waning, "dying" and reappearing, marked the passage of time--not clock time, but the rythms of life; the ebb and flow of the sea; the birth, maturation and migration of animals; the sprouting of new plants and the scattering of seeds.

January is the quintessential month of snow and ice in Canada, its full moon is known as Snow Moon or Old Moon, but the most common name is WolfMoon. This reflects the fact that wolves are often heard howling outside First Nations villages, the sound is amplified by the crisp, open air-a beautiful song of longing inspired by the ever-changing cycle oflife.

This coin is the third issue of the Full Moons collection.
The first coin of the series, released in 2011, depicts theSummer Moon.
The second coin of the series, released in 2011, depicts the Autumn Moon.
The third coin of the series, released in 2012, depicts the Winter Moon.
The fourth coin of the series, released in 2012, depicts the Spring Moon.