Mythical Realms of the Haida

Description

Mythical Realms of the Haida

A gorgeous keepsake for art collectors!

Haida Gwaii is a place of astounding natural beauty; a land of ancient legends where mythical beings move about in the guise of familiar animals from our three-dimensional world. This mesmerizing new coin series portrays three of the most powerful supernatural beings from the realms of water, earth and sky.

A gorgeous keepsake for art collectors and anyone who appreciates the rich cultural heritage of the Haida people.

Special Features: – FREE WOODEN CASE!

• The Orca

• The Eagle

• The Bear

• All three coins are beautifully crafted in 99.99% pure silver!

• Each coin is stunningly enhanced with red and black enamel to re-create the distinctive artistic style of Haida formline imagery, hailed as one of the most popular art forms from the Pacific Northwest.

First coin design:

Haida artist April White—SGaana Jaad of the Yahqu’iaanaas Raven Clan—has created a mesmerizing image of an orca leaping out of the water. Look closely and you will see a female form hidden beneath the orca “cloak.” She is using her arms and legs in the orca’s fins and tail to propel herself forward. Her shoulder is situated directly beneath the orca’s eye, and her black hair is flowing along its back, echoed in the orca’s black ribs. The ethereal essence of the scene is further enhanced by the silhouette of a full moon created by the circular outline of the design.

Second coin design:

Haida Gwaii is a place of astounding natural beauty; a land of ancient legends where mythical beings move about in the guise of familiar animals from our three-dimensional world. This mesmerizing coin series portrays three of the most powerful supernatural beings from the realms of water, earth and sky, with the Eagle (Guud) gracing this coin as he dances in the sky realm.

The Haida people have a reverence for this parallel reality. It is a world that can only be accessed with purification of body and mind—by fasting, drinking salt water and bathing in the sea. It is an experience that can be expressed and shared through the language of art.

There’s a human form hidden beneath the eagle “cloak.” He articulates his arms inside the wings so they powerfully rise and fall to propel himself upward with strength and command. As the Eagle readies himself to dance in the sky realm his voice sounds, while his feet in the talons keep the beat of a drum. He wears a dance apron tied around his waist—adorned with a salmon head design—it is at once dance regalia and tail feathers.

Final coin in the series!

This Haida masterpiece features the bear, one of the most powerful supernatural beings in Haida culture. According to legend, bears are known to marry human beings, and the cubs of these unions, by removing their cloaks, can live as human beings.

This coin tells the Bear Mother Myth, in which a Bear marries a Haida woman. The design shows Bear Father protecting their child. His extended tongue represents communication as he shares his wisdom and birthright with their child under the light of a full moon—teaching his offspring bear songs and stories as he prepares him for a life without his father.

Celebrates the distinctive artistic style of Haida formline imagery with red and black enamel.

Packaging:

Your coins are encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded wooden case to display all three coins.

• Mintage – 1500

• Composition – 99.99% pure silver

• Finish – proof

• Weight (g)  3 X 157.6 (472g)

• Diameter (mm) 65.25

• Edge- serrated

• Certificate – serialized

• Face value50 dollars

• ArtistApril White (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)