🇨🇦 Wildlife Canada Bison 2013 – 1 oz Silver Coin – Power of the Prairie in Clear Minting Art
The Wildlife Canada Bison 2013 – 1 oz silver coin is part of the well-known Canadian Wildlife Series, valued for its realistic animal depictions and its calm, factual visual language. This issue is dedicated to the bison, an animal of exceptional historical and cultural significance in North America. Struck in silver, the coin does not present the bison as a dynamic action scene, but as a concentrated representation of mass, stillness, and natural authority. The design consistently follows the style of the series: clear, reduced, and focused on the essential.
The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II., as was typical for Canadian coin issues of this period. The depiction is balanced and restrained, with fine line work that conveys dignity and continuity. The profile is clearly contoured and deliberately factual. Around the rim appear the inscriptions for the issuing country Canada, the face value, and the mint year 2013. The lettering is evenly spaced, leaving sufficient room for the smooth silver surface to unfold its bright, uniform appearance. Obverse and inscriptions form a calm, orderly unity.
The reverse depicts the bison in a powerful, ground-bound stance. The animal stands still, its massive body slightly inclined forward, the head lowered, as if firmly connected to the prairie soil. The portrayal conveys weight, strength, and solidity without relying on motion or drama. The dense fur, the distinctive head, and the broad shoulders are precisely engraved and stand out clearly from the background. Every line of the fur is finely modeled and contributes to the sculptural presence of the motif. The bison does not appear aggressive, but sovereign and immovable, a silent center of gravity within the scene.
The background is deliberately reduced. Landscape elements are only subtly indicated and serve solely as a quiet frame. This restraint directs full attention to the animal and reinforces its presence. Integrated into the design are the inscriptions indicating weight and fineness: 1 oz and 9999 silver, clearly legible and harmoniously embedded into the field. The lettering remains subordinate to the motif and does not disturb the calm overall impression.
The 1 oz denomination provides ample space to present the details of the depiction with clarity. The format is balanced and allows the mass and stature of the animal to appear especially impressive. The silver shows a bright, cool luster that emphasizes the precision of the striking. The surface appears even, with carefully coordinated transitions between matte and polished areas. Light and shadow glide gently across the relief, creating depth without harsh contrast.
The bison holds a special place in the history of Canada and North America. It symbolizes the vastness of the prairies, endurance, and the deep connection between landscape and life. Within the Wildlife Series, the animal is not symbolically exaggerated but shown in a realistic, concentrated form. The coin avoids narrative elements and allows the animal itself to speak. This deliberate reduction is what gives the motif its strength.
Canada’s Wildlife Series follows a consistent design philosophy. Each animal is presented in isolation and rendered with realism, without changing styles or decorative effects. The bison integrates seamlessly into this series and demonstrates how powerful a quiet, disciplined design approach can be. The coin derives its impact from clarity, focus on form and posture, and the silent authority of the depicted animal.
The surface of the coin is carefully executed. The relief is distinct but not deeply cut. Light reflections appear soft and even. The rim is cleanly finished and integrates unobtrusively into the overall appearance. Nothing about this coin feels overloaded or accidental. Every line is intentional, every surface clearly defined.
Silver plays a central role in this issue. It supports the calm, massive presence of the bison and reinforces the impression of weight and permanence. The material presence remains consistently perceptible without dominating the motif. This balance between animal depiction and metal defines the character of the Wildlife Series.
The Wildlife Canada Bison 2013 – 1 oz silver coin presents one of North America’s most significant animals in a calm, clear depiction. It combines naturalistic engraving, precise minting, and the quiet presence of silver into a coin image that convinces through order, reduction, and timeless expressive strength.
| Metal | Silver |
| Form | Silver Coin |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
| Manufacturer | The Royal Canadian Mint |
| Series | Wildlife Series |
| Purity | 999.9/1000 |
| Fineweight | 31.10 gram |
| Gross Weight | 31.10 gram |
| Denomination (oz) | 1 oz |
| Year of issue | 2013 |
| Grade | Brilliant |
| Condition | Circulated |
| Face value | 5 CAD |
| Thickness | 3.15 mm |
| Diameter | 38.00 mm |
| Mintage | 1000000 |
| Packaging | Single in Pouch |
| Packaging Unit | 25 per tube |
| Large Packaging 2 | 500 per box |