Description

The Royal Canadian Mint’s Specimen Set is among its most sought-after collections every year. The set is composed of six denominations, from the five-cent coin to the two-dollar coin, including the low-mintage half-dollar that is not available for circulation. The set comes in an elegant book-style presentation and features some of the finest quality coins specially struck for collectors. The set’s highlight is the unique one-dollar coin, which features a Greater Sage Grouse, an endangered species, and cannot be found in circulation or any other coin set. The Susanna Blunt-designed effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II graces the obverse of all coins.

A special issue of Queen Elizabeth II Memorial obverse coins, featuring a posthumous effigy of Her Majesty with the dates of her reign, 1952-2022, is also included in this year’s set. As new King Charles III dies were not yet available, the Royal Canadian Mint announced that they will not release any 2023 dated Queen Elizabeth effigy coins for general circulation. This makes each coin in the set a special collector issue. Despite the high quality of the coins and presentation, the set is still affordably priced, making it an ideal gift for special events such as birthdays, graduations, weddings, or the birth of a new baby.

The 2023 specimen dollar stands out as a unique commemorative coin due to its design featuring the Greater Sage Grouse. The coin captures the elaborate courtship display of the male Greater Sage Grouse during the spring breeding season. The design raises awareness about the endangered status of this species, which currently occupies only 7% of its historical range in Canada. There are now fewer than 250 Greater Sage Grouse remaining in the wild, and recovery efforts are ongoing to support the species and its habitat. Researchers and population management strategies are working together to slow the population decline and boost its chances of survival, giving hope for the Greater Sage Grouse’s recovery.