2006 Canadian $300 Snowflake Swarovski® Crystal & 14-karat Gold Coin

2006 Canadian $300 Snowflake Swarovski® Crystal & 14-karat Gold Coin 

The art of winter 

We slide in it, make snowmen and forts with it and even try to catch it on our tongues! Winter's wondrous gift of the snowflake turns months of frigid cold into a season of joyful play-and incredible beauty. 

Anyone who has ever had the good fortune to catch a snowflake on their glove knows that its intricate shape can take your breath away. As water vapour freezes within a cloud, temperature, wind and humidity will influence the size and shape of the ice crystals that fall to the ground. Sometimes they will clump together to form large, wet flakes. Or, they'll fall as dry, powdery snow. But if the conditions are just right and the ice crystals can grow large and drift gently earthward without clumping together, the result is a flurry of endless masterpieces-those elaborate star-shaped flakes. 

The unassuming snowflake yields significant influence wherever it falls. More than play, it defines Canada's geography, wildlife, environment and economy, demanding significant research efforts to understand how snow and ice work-and how to function within the challenging conditions they create. With so much of its activity dependent upon and shaped by winter's frozen marvels, Canada has become known internationally for its scientific contributions to snow and ice research, such as the world's most accurate gauge for recording snowfall and automated sensors that measure snow accumulation and melt on major glaciers and ice sheets. Yet, despite the science, Canada's love of the simple snowflake prevails. 

This large proof gold coin has a face value of $300. This coin did not meet the maximum mintage and only 861 were minted out of the possible 1,000. This item includes a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Design

• Royal Canadian mint engraver Konrad Wachelko has re-created a six sided dendrite ice crystal (snowflake), with six Swarovski crystals overlaid on the snowflake 
• Reverse design shows a profile of Queen Elizabeth II, along with the year "2006" and a face value of $300
• Mintage: 1,000

Packaging

2006 Canadian $300 Snowflake Swarovski® Crystal & 14-karat Gold Coin comes encapsulated in Royal Canadian Mint maroon clamshell case, black beauty box and Certificate of Authenticity.

Specifications

Face Value: $300
Mintage: 861
Composition: 58.33% gold, 41.67% silver
Weight (g): 60.5
Diameter (mm): 50.0
Finish: Proof