Canada 20 Dollars - Elizabeth II, 2015

20 Dollars - Elizabeth II from Canada. Issued in 2015. Struck in Silver (.9999). Measures 38 mm and weighs 31.39 g.

Obverse

Head on the right of Queen Elizabeth II, 77 years old, without crown, wearing a necklace and earrings.

Reverse

The motif on the reverse, by Canadian artist Glen Loates, depicts a mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) and its mother, in wild, mountainous terrain in Western Canada. This profile of the kid shows at close range the animal's muscular front end and cloven hooves, which enable it to climb to seemingly unreachable heights with disconcerting ease. Enhanced by selective coloring, the youngster's black mouth, lips and eyes contrast with the whiteness of his wool, softening his already innocent expression. His protective mother stands by his side. His slender horns, pronounced shoulder hump and long, woolly coat are beautifully rendered in finely chiseled detail. In the background, distant rocky peaks add depth to the motif and illustrate the height at which mother and calf stand, depicted together on a mountain slope next to an evergreen tree and surrounded by brightly colored wildflowers.

Edge

Serrated