2023 Tribute W Mint Mark Polar Bear 1 oz Pure Silver

Tribute to the Toonie: The Inaugural "W" Mint Mark Silver Coin

Celebrate the heart of Canada’s coinage with the first release in the Tribute: W Mint Mark series. This 1 oz 99.99% pure silver coin reimagines the iconic two-dollar circulation design as a premium collector piece. For the first time, this beloved motif is struck at the Winnipeg Mint—the facility responsible for every Canadian circulation coin since 1976—and features the rare "W" mint mark.

Brent Townsend’s Iconic Polar Bear

The reverse showcases the world-famous polar bear design by artist Brent Townsend, which has graced the toonie since its debut in 1996. The bear, officially named "Churchill," is depicted on an ice floe against a textured background of angled lines inspired by the Winnipeg Mint’s distinctive pyramid-shaped architecture. A tailored specimen finish provides a sophisticated satin sheen to the bear, creating a dramatic contrast against the precision-engraved field.

A Winnipeg Mint Rarity

While the Winnipeg facility typically focuses on billions of circulation strikes, this series marks a rare foray into numismatic silver productions. The obverse features the memorial effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, complete with the four-pearl marking and the 1952-2022 double date. With a strictly limited mintage of 7,500 coins, this piece is a high-authority acquisition for those celebrating the history of the Canadian toonie. Each coin arrives in a black Royal Canadian Mint clamshell with a serialized certificate of authenticity.