Canadian Polar Bear 1/10 oz Gold 2020
Canada: Polar Bear 1/10 oz Gold 2020 is a fractional bullion coin issued by The Royal Canadian Mint, containing 1/10 troy ounce of .9999 fine gold (24 karats). The coin’s total weight is approximately 3.136 g, its diameter is 16 mm, and its thickness is about 1.22 mm. The piece has a face value of 5 Canadian dollars and is legal tender in Canada. The 2020 issue features a new polar bear design, with clearly defined details showcasing the Arctic environment.
The polar bear, as a symbol of the rugged beauty of northern Canada and its natural wealth, has become an iconic motif in Canadian numismatics. Canada is home to approximately 15,000 polar bears, representing around two-thirds of the world’s population of this species (Ursus maritimus), inhabiting the country’s northern regions such as Hudson Bay, the Beaufort Sea, and other Arctic territories. This animal is perfectly adapted to extreme Arctic conditions, demonstrating the ability to slow its metabolism during times of food shortage and survive for up to a week without nourishment thanks to an inbuilt energy-saving mechanism.
The 2020 issue forms part of an ongoing collector-investment series promoted by the Royal Canadian Mint, appealing both to collectors and to investors seeking affordably priced denominations in the highest purity gold.
Obverse The coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, which is the fourth official depiction of the monarch on Canadian coins and the only one without a crown. Surrounding the effigy is the Latin legend “ELIZABETH II · D.G. REGINA” and the denomination “5 DOLLARS”. The obverse background is decorated with a fine radial pattern serving as an anti-counterfeiting feature and forming an integral part of the coin’s security design.
Reverse The coin depicts a polar bear standing in an Arctic landscape against a sheet of ice, in a pose characteristic of the animal while walking across icy drifts. The 2020 design includes a carefully detailed image of the bear, with meticulously rendered fur texture, muscular anatomy, and natural surroundings. Around the rim are the inscriptions “CANADA”, “2020”, “9999”, “FINE GOLD” and “1/10 OZ OR PUR”. The coin’s edge is reeded, in accordance with the security specifications of Canadian gold issues.