2023 Colourful Birds Northern Cardinal 1 oz Pure Silver

A Winter Icon: The Northern Cardinal

Celebrate the vibrant beauty of a Canadian winter with this 1 oz 99.99% pure silver coin. As the third release in the popular Colourful Birds series, this 2023 issue captures the brilliant crimson plumage of the male northern cardinal. Designed by artist Tony Bianco, the scene depicts this iconic songbird perched on a bittersweet branch within a snow-dusted spruce tree.

Vibrant Selective Color and Perspective

The use of selective color application highlights the cardinal's striking red feathers against the soft, engraved textures of the evergreen needles and a snow-blanketed landscape. The raised perspective creates an intimate tableau, pulling the viewer into the quiet winter scene. This year-round resident is a beloved symbol of resilience and color, particularly in the quiet, white-hued months of the Canadian winter.

Memorial Effigy and Heritage

The obverse features the posthumous memorial effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, including the four-pearl marking and the double date of her reign (1952-2022). Struck in a brilliant proof finish, this limited mintage issue of 7,500 coins follows the success of previous releases in the series. Each coin is housed in a premium Royal Canadian Mint clamshell and includes a serialized certificate of authenticity.