| The Polar Bear
The two-dollar coin was first placed in circulation
on 19 February 1996, as a replacement for the bank
note of the same value. The coins will last about
20 times longer than the notes they replaced. This
coin was designed by Brent Townsend, an accomplished
artist who specializes in studies of North American
wildlife and landscapes. |
| The polar bear, whose image is
well known in Canada and throughout the world, fully
deserves to join the beaver, caribou, and loon in
the collection of coins illustrating our country’s
wildlife.
The coin’s design features an adult polar bear
in early summer on an ice floe. Native to northern
Canada, the polar bear is widely recognized as the
embodiment of the Arctic and one of the symbols of
Canada’s wilderness heritage. It is found in
all parts of the far north, especially in the coastal
areas of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Manitoba,
Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador. Canada has over half
of the world’s population of polar bears, which
number between 20,000 and 40,000. The polar bear is
North America’s largest land-based carnivore.
A full-grown male can attain a length of nearly 3
metres (9.5 feet) and weigh up to 725 kilos (1,600
pounds). |
| The polar bear is a majestic animal
that has nothing in common with the cuddly teddy bear:
its size, power, and rugged beauty make it a symbol
of the unspoiled nature of the Canadian Arctic. It
is characterized by its curiosity, intelligence, and
great adaptability, all ideal qualities for life in
a harsh environment.
For more information about the polar bear symbol,
please see the following sources:
Royal Canadian Mint: www.mint.ca
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/english/news/newsletr/global/globc2-e.htm
|
