Composition : 99,99$ silver
Mintage : 15,000

Stockings of joy and anticipation

Stocking hanging from the fireplace are a sure sign that a season of fun and excitement is about to begin.But there was a time when hanging stockings was an everyday sight as people regularly dried their clothes by the fire. One can almost imagine a parent or husband slipping a small gift into a stocking as a surprise... the world's first "stocking-stuffer," perhaps ?

The link between stockings and Christmas began to emerge with the legend of Saint Nicholas and one account of how he helped a poor man acquire dowries for his unwed daughters. Saint Nicholas dropped three small bags of gold down the chimney and into the stockings where they were discovered by three delighted daughters the following morning.

Centuries later, Clement Moore (1779-1863) wrote his famous words, "...The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there," and the tradition gained popularity as never before. Stockings became a fixture in Holiday celebrations. To this day, they are eagerly hung in anticipation of the Holidays and regularly checked by excited children wondering if Santa Claus has finally arrived.

HANGING THE STOCKINGS - 2009 CANADIAN COINS is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 25- WINTER and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.