2008 CANADA PROOF $300 GOLD 14K PROVINCIAL COAT ARMS2008 CANADA
$300.00 14K PROOF GOLD COIN
PROVINCIAL COAT OF ARMS:
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
2008
Theme:
Designing a nation's character
During the Middle Ages, any knight who went into battle
needed to distinguish friend from foe and would paint
identifying marks on his shield. Later, these markings began
appearing on surcoats, the cloth garment knights wore over
their mail. With time, the practice expanded to include the
cloaks worn by royal messengers.
This is how the Coat of Arms was born—a design of
heraldic symbols created to represent a monarchy, a family
or clan, a territory or nation; its general shape echoing the
shields where the custom originated centuries ago. Even
Canada, a nation formed long after the battles of the
Middle Ages faded into history, has a Coat of Arms—as
does every province and territory within its domain.
The Coat of Arms for Newfoundland and Labrador
features a white cross on a red shield. The cross divides the
shield into quadrants featuring two royal lions (England)
and two unicorns (Scotland). The two warriors represent
the Beothuk people, the aboriginal inhabitants of the
province. The motto, Quaerite prime regnum Dei means, "Seek
ye first the Kingdom of God."
The elk standing above the shield is a unique feature
because elk do not live in Newfoundland while caribou do.
This is likely due to the fact that these Arms were originally
granted to Sir David Kirke (Newfoundland's governor and
head of a private trading company) in 1638 and the
European artists only had elk as a reference. Lost for
almost three centuries, these Arms were reintroduced in the
1920s
Face Value: 300 dollars
Mintage: 1,000
Composition: 58.33% gold, 41.67% silver
Weight (g): 60
Diameter (mm): 50
Edge: Serrated
Finish: Proof
Certificate: Serialized
Artist: Faithful reproduction of the
official Coat of Arms of
Newfoundland and Labrador
Special features:
First in a series of Canada’s provincial Coats of
Arms
Packaging:
Coin encapsulated and presented in a maroon
clamshell case lined with flock and protected by a
black sleeve.
Images copied from eBay:
be98_1_b_1185_2.JPG
