2020 Endangered Species: Black-Footed Ferret - 6-coin Specimen Set
While Canada is home to an estimated 80,000 species, many are facing an uncertain future. Habitat loss and human activities are putting our natural heritage at risk. But there is reason to hope for the future, thanks to the efforts of organizations, volunteers and everyday Canadians. The future of our endangered species and habitats is in our
hands, and this year's specimen set is a reminder that conservation is a long-term commitment.
The 2020 Specimen Set's dollar coin features the black-footed ferret. This once-lost resident of our grasslands has been the focus of decades-long recovery efforts led by volunteers and partners—including the Toronto Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Parks Canada and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—who are working together to give this species another chance in Canada.
This affordable set makes a great gift, and it's an easy way to share your passion and interests by starting a young person on their collecting journey. Buy today.
Special features:
- NEW THEME: This year's specimen set shifts the focus onto wildlife conservation by showcasing one of Canada's endangered species on the specimen dollar coin.
- A CONSERVATION STORY: The black-footed ferret's Canadian re-introduction story highlights the patience, cooperation and dedication behind species recovery efforts. It serves as a reminder that we all play a part in nature conservation and that it is a long-term commitment.
- A RARE FINISH: Includes a rare 50-cent coin in a specimen finish — it's only available as part of this set.
- A DIFFERENT SPECIES: The specimen dollar has featured a different bird each year since 2004. But with this year's set, the black-footed ferret becomes the first mammal to appear on a specimen $1 coin—another set exclusive.
- EXCLUSIVE FINISH: All six coins in this set feature a specimen finish, with brilliant and frosted relief over a lined specimen background. We are the only mint in the world to offer an annual set in a specimen finish.
- SIX COINS IN ONE PACKAGE: You get a total of six coins: the special edition dollar coin, along with the 2020 designs for the two-dollar, 50-cent, 25-cent, 10-cent and 5-cent circulation coins. All six coins are presented in book-style packaging with a removable lens.
- LOWER MINTAGE: The mintage on this year's specimen set is lower than last year's, making this coin set more special.
$1 coin design:
Designed by Caitlin Lindstrom-Milne, your special $1 coin features a black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)
in its natural grassland habitat, where it pauses at the edge of a burrow surrounded by grama grass. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
"I love telling a story through my art! For my first coin design, I wanted to realistically capture the ferret in its habitat to really drive home the importance of preserving Canada's wildlife for our future generations." Caitlin Lindstrom-Milne: Artist
"I greatly appreciated the collaboration with the Toronto Zoo on this project. Through different conservation and education initiatives, and the efforts made by everyday Canadians, we can make a difference and reduce our ecological footprint." Melanie Luis: Product Manager
Back from the brink: Canada's black-footed ferret
Canada's only native ferret, the black-footed ferret, fell victim to disease and the loss of both its prairie habitat and prey. It is currently listed as "extirpated" under the Canadian Species At Risk Act, with the last confirmed record of its existence dating back to 1937.
And that's where the story might have ended if not for recovery efforts on both sides of the border. In partnership with Parks Canada, the Calgary Zoo and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Toronto Zoo is working to give the species a second chance in Canada. Its captive breeding program has produced hundreds of kits (baby ferrets) for re-introduction. And in October 2009, the first Canadian release took place in Grasslands National Park.
Sadly, plague and environmental factors had a devastating effect on prairie dogs (the ferret's primary food source) and on Canada's reintroduced ferret population. Annual releases were halted in 2013; today, recovery partners are continuing their efforts to stabilize prairie dog populations in the hope of resuming the black-footed ferret's Canadian re-introduction.
"Since 1992, the Toronto Zoo has been proud to take part in the conservation breeding program for the black-footed ferret (BFF). Hundreds of babies (kits) have been bred for reintroduction to the wild in USA, Mexico and Canada where the ferret was listed as extirpated in 1978. This program is helping re-establish this endangered species back
into its historic range and has brought the wild population up to approximately 300 animals. The BFF conservation breeding program continues to be critically important as the ferrets continue to face ongoing threats, such as habitat loss and disease. At a time when the world is facing global threats of mass extinctions of species, Canadians more than ever need to work together to ensure these incredible species exist for future generations." Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo
Packaging:
Your specimen set comes in elegant book-style packaging, with removable lens, that complements your beautiful coins. Specifications
- Mintage25000
- CompositionThree-ply brass finish plated steel
- Finishspecimen
- Weight (g)6.27
- Diameter (mm)26.5
- Edgeplain
- Certificateserialized
- Face value1 dollar
- ArtistCaitlin Lindstrom-Milne (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)
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