This coin, produced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2012, is composed of 7.96 grams of 99.99% pure silver. Production of the coin has been limited to 250,000 worldwide, and is unusual in that the face value of the coin exceeds the current value of the precious metal that comprises the coin. Regardless of numismatic concerns, the image of the polar bear by artist Susanna Blunt is stunning, as is the striking of the coin itself.
The Royal Canadian Mint is a Canadian Crown Corporation that produces all of Canada's circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. The Mint operates under the legislative basis of the Royal Canadian Mint Act. As a Crown Corporation, it is 100% owned by the Government of Canada, which is its sole shareholder.