2016 Proof Fine Silver $25 Coin Sculptural Art of Parliament: "Horned Green Man" Gargoyle

This 2016 $25 pure silver one-ounce ultra-high-relief coin is the last in the "Sculptural Art of Parliament" series. The reverse of this coin features an image of one of the original gargoyles which is incorporated into the architecture of the Canadian parliament buildings; the image portrays the mythical Horned Green Man. The humorous but slightly unsettling horned Green Man sticks out his tongue, his grimacing mouth topped with a jaunty moustache. His deep-set eyes peer from below heavy brows, and two small horns curl out from his forehead. His face is encircled by stylized foliage. The face emerges from the coin, thanks to the detailed engraving in ultra-high relief. The reverse also features the engraved word "Canada," the date "2016" and the face value of "25 dollars." The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

The horned variation of the Green Man on this coin is much more common on North American Gothic Revival structures than on their European counterparts. Their horned projections vary from short or long straight horns and curled ram's horns to antlers and even large tree branches emerging from the Green Man's forehead. The source of this imagery may lie with pre-Christian nature deities such as the Celts' Cernunnos, the Greeks' Pan, and the Egyptian goddess Hathor, but one should not discount the role of the carver's sense of humour or delight in the macabre. The horned Green Man's popularity seems to have grown in tandem with Victorians' rising preoccupation with the occult, which is perhaps not surprising given that the horned man or horned god has long been associated with supernatural power.

• Mintage: 4,000
• Weight: 1 oz fine silver

Includes:
• 2016 Proof Fine Silver $25 Coin Sculptural Art of Parliament: "Horned Green Man" Gargoyle

Warranty Information:
This product comes with a 30-day return policy through TSC.