The rabbit is common, much loved by children, perhaps because of its vulnerability. It survives by alertness and speed, and is symbolically connected to the ideas of fertility, new life and promise — it is thus a future, or united, animal.

• Alex Colville

 When it was introduced in 1967, the running rabbit on the Centennial five-cent coin was a change of pace from the classic beaver design introduced in 1937. The rabbit races once more across this 1/10 oz. pure gold tribute to the artist, master painter Alex Colville, in honour of the 100th anniversary of his birth.

KEY FEATURES:

• A centennial salute: Part of a six-coin tribute to acclaimed Canadian artist Alex Colville on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
• 1967, re-mastered: All six of Colville’s wildlife-themed, 1967 Centennial circulation coin designs have been lovingly re-created on 1/10 oz. pure gold coins, from the Canada goose (dollar coin) to the rock dove (one-cent coin).
• First time struck in gold: This is the first time Colville’s numismatic artwork has been struck in 99.99% pure gold.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Part of a six-coin subscription series, with a new coin issued every two months:
  • Coin #1: $1 coin (February)
  • Coin #2: 50-cent coin (April)
  • Coin #3: 25-cent coin (June)
  • Coin #4: 10-cent coin (August)
  • Coin #5: 5-cent coin (October)
  • Coin #6: 1-cent coin (December)
• Historic obverse: Like the original coins issued in 1967, all six 2020 versions feature the 1965 effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin.

 DID YOU KNOW?

A competition launched in 1964 invited Canadian artists, sculptors and designers to submit their designs for the circulation coins that would be issued in 1967 for the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation.

A $2,500 prize was to be awarded for the winning design in each of the coin denominations; but without a clear winner, five more artists were asked to submit their coin concepts.

On April 20, 1966, a winner was finally announced: Canadian painter Alex Colville of Sackville, N.B. Some of his most famous paintings include Horse and Train and To Prince Edward Island.

DESIGN

The reverse re-creates Canada’s 1967 Centennial five-cent coin design by artist Alex Colville and features a profile view of a hopping rabbit. The reverse also features the engraved face value “5 CENTS”, the word “CANADA” and the date “2020”. The obverse features Canada’s second effigy (1965-1989) of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin.

PRODUCT SPECIFATIONS