It sparkles on a sunny winter day and shimmers on a cold moonlit night – wherever a snow crystal lands, its delicate form is as ethereal as it is enchanting, and the ice crystal that landed on this coin’s reverse is no exception. Snow crystals, such as the stellar dendrite featured here, are beautifully varied and unique, and most of them feature six points or sides, which inspired the Royal Canadian Mint’s first hexagon coin. Its outline emphasizes the elaborate form of the snow crystal engraved on the coin’s reverse, which is dotted with a sparkling clear crystal. Looking closely at the magnified view, you’ll notice each of those fern-like branches are slightly different, which reflects the natural variations of shape that make these works of art endlessly fascinating – in nature, and on the Snowflake coin. A snow crystal’s shape is largely determined by the atmospheric conditions under which it is growing, specifically the temperature and humidity. The arms of snow crystals appear symmetrical because they are growing under similar environmental conditions. However tiny variations in temperature and humidity across the crystal will cause each arm to grow slightly differently, and this helps explain why no two snow crystals are exactly alike. The coin’s reverse features a magnified view of a stellar dendrite ice crystal captured by Canadian photographer Don Komarechka and intricately reproduced by Royal Canadian Mint engravers. The coin’s reverse proof finish directs light onto the six frosted, fern-like branches or arms, while the clear crystal at the centre adds a touch of winter’s sparkle. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign. A first for the Royal Canadian Mint, this hexagon coin introduces a six-sided shape that perfectly complements the six-sided snow crystal engraved on its reverse. At the centre of this snowflake lies an exquisite clear crystal that sparkles in the light-the effect is reminiscent of snow sparkle, caused by sunlight reflecting off snow crystals on a beautiful winter day. The coin comes packaged in an innovative new graphic paperboard case that also holds the certificate of authenticity. An insert allows you to easily display your encapsulated coin. Each crafted in 1 oz. Of 99.99% pure silver, only 8,500 coins are available to collectors worldwide. Packaging: The coin is encapsulated and presented in a newly developed, Royal Canadian Mint-branded, graphic paperboard case that also holds the certificate of authenticity. Citadel Coins Halifax, Nova Scotia Official Royal Canadian Mint Distributor.