Description
The 2017 $20 Venetian Glass Dogbane Beetle coin is a captivating celebration of nature’s brilliance, combining fine Canadian silver craftsmanship with centuries-old Murano glass artistry. Issued by the Royal Canadian Mint as the second release in the Little Creatures series, this exceptional collectible showcases one of nature’s tiniest marvels in extraordinary detail.
Struck in 1 oz of 99.99% pure silver, the coin features a handcrafted Venetian glass dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus), created individually by master glassmaker Giuliano Donaggio in Murano, Italy. Each beetle is blown by hand, resulting in subtle variations that make every coin truly one of a kind. With a lower mintage of just 8,500 coins worldwide, this issue is even more coveted than the first release in the series. As a pure silver Royal Canadian Mint issue, it is GST/HST exempt.
Special Features
Second coin in the Royal Canadian Mint’s Little Creatures series
Lower mintage than the previous issue, limited to 8,500 coins worldwide
Handcrafted Venetian (Murano) glass beetle individually made in Italy
Each glass beetle is unique due to the handcrafted glassmaking process
Combines traditional engraving, colour application, and Venetian glass artistry
Struck in 1 oz of 99.99% pure silver with a proof finish
Includes serialized certificate of authenticity
GST/HST exempt
Design
The reverse design by Canadian artist Maurice Gervais is brought to life by a shimmering Venetian glass dogbane beetle, handcrafted in Murano, Italy. The beetle rests atop a richly coloured depiction of the dogbane plant, complete with detailed leaves and pink, bell-shaped flowers—one of the beetle’s preferred food sources. The glass insect’s iridescence creates a striking contrast against the engraved and coloured silver background, offering exceptional depth and visual impact.
The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, along with the denomination and year of issue.
Packaging
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint maroon clamshell, housed within a black beauty box. A serialized certificate of authenticity is included.
Specifications
Year: 2017
Face Value: $20
Composition: 99.99% pure silver
Weight: 31.39 g
Bullion Weight: 1.009 troy oz
Diameter: 38 mm
Finish: Proof
Mintage: 8,500
Series: Little Creatures
Artist: Maurice Gervais (reverse)
Why Collect This Coin?
The Venetian Glass Dogbane Beetle stands out as one of the Royal Canadian Mint’s most artistic and innovative nature-themed issues. Its low mintage, one-of-a-kind handcrafted glass element, and harmonious blend of silver, colour, and Venetian glass make it a must-have for collectors of modern Canadian numismatics, nature-inspired art coins, and Murano glass collectibles.
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