Canada: Animal Portraits - Elk Gold-Plated $20 Silver Coin 2025 Proof

Canada: Animal Portraits – Elk Gilded $20 Silver 2025 Proof is the second release in the exquisitely crafted “Animal Portraits” series, showcasing Canada’s wildlife in close-up, lifelike detail. This time, the focus is on the majestic Canadian elk – also known as wapiti – whose massive antlers extend beyond the coin’s frame, symbolically blurring the line between the human world and nature.

The coin is struck in 99.99% pure silver and finished to a proof standard with selective 24-karat gold gilding. The gold highlights the reverse background, rim, and the monarch’s portrait on the obverse, contrasting beautifully with the finely engraved elk in its natural pose.

This is an official issue from the Royal Canadian Mint, with a face value of 20 Canadian dollars. The coin measures 38 mm in diameter and weighs 31.39 g. Mintage is strictly limited to just 7,500 pieces worldwide. Each coin is presented in a black clamshell case with an elegant outer box, making it a perfect gift or a prestigious addition to collections focused on nature, wildlife, or Canada.

Obverse features the coin’s face value and a gilded portrait of King Charles III, designed by Steven Rosati, framed by an elegantly finished rim.

Reverse by Trevor Tennant depicts a realistic close-up of a bull elk (Cervus canadensis) in its natural habitat. The composition and perspective allow the antlers to extend beyond the inner frame, creating a sense of depth and majesty. The background is selectively gilded. The design is completed with the issuing country and year of issue.