The Dragon's Sail

The remains of an 11th-century Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site are an enduring connection to Canada’s Viking past! The Viking Age comes to our shores on the reverse of this fine silver coin, where selective colour highlights the elaborate art and craftsmanship of the legendary seafaring Norsemen.

The saga of Leif Eriksson’s voyage from Greenland to Vinland inspired this reverse design by Canadian artist Jean-Pierre Vallée. In the background, the rugged North Atlantic coast of present-day Canada rises up from the sea, and resembles some of the new shorelines spied during Eriksson’s expedition circa AD 1000. In the foreground, a fearsome Norse dragon ship sails into view. The sea-level perspective places a special emphasis on the square mast and highly intricate woodworking that made a Viking ship both a technical and artistic marvel in its time. Ornate carvings of gripping beasts lead up to the dragon figurehead on the prow, which was intended to ward off evil spirits while adding to the ship’s imposing appearance. A similar Norse art-inspired pattern of interlaced serpents is replicated on the selectively coloured frame, which surrounds the artistic interpretation of an early chapter in Canada’s history. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

This coin is the second issue of the Norse Figureheads series.

NORSE FIGUREHEADS - THE DRAGON'S SAIL - 2018 CANADIAN COINS 02 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 13- CANADIAN HISTORY and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.