Canada: 2024-dated Specimen coin set Includes Exclusive Dollar Featuring Northern Leopard Frog

The 2024-dated collection is the fifth specimen set in a series that is helping to raise awareness of wildlife conservation and species recovery efforts in Canada. This year’s Specimen Dollar features one of British Columbia’s most at-risk species - the semi-aquatic northern leopard frog. While populations of Canada’s northern leopard frog are flourishing in most provinces and territories, the Rocky Mountain population has been reduced to a sliver of its former population now residing only in British Columbia’s Creston Valley. Habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, and disease are significant causes endangering this sensitive species who often don’t survive through their first Pacific coast winter. In order to protect against extinction in the western population, recovery teams began to reintroduce the northern leopard frog back into areas where they have historical roots but are no longer found.

This relocation program, along with breeding programs and careful reproduction monitoring has been instrumental in preserving the existing population and helping these tadpoles grow to their full potential in marshy waters in an ever-widening portion of British Columbia’s southeast corner. Researchers have documented this species plays an important ecological role by transferring nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Using autonomous recording units and visual encounter surveys, conservationists have been able to see and hear how their efforts are working. According to the Wilder Institute, British Columbia’s wetlands are proving to be just what these little amphibians need to help increase its odds of survival.  A recent survey recorded frogs that were 20% larger and 114% heavier compared to previous release sites in British Columbia, a true success story.

Designed by artist Julius Csotonyi, the set-exclusive specimen dollar features a depiction of a northern leopard frog or, Lithobates pipiens on the reverse. The amphibian is partially submerged in its wetland habitat, where it gently rests on aquatic vegetation, such as Ceratophyllum demersum. To the right of the primary design along the rim is the text CANADA DOLLAR together with the year of issue, 2024. The obverse side includes an effigy of HM King Charles III and is the work of Canadian artist Steven Rosati. The King is shown facing to the left surrounded by the legend CHARLES III D G REX. This is the first specimen set to feature the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III which also appears on every circulation coin featured in this set.

The six coins are sealed in a rigid plastic case and presented in a book-style folder, the case is also removable. Each set is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity and limited to 30,000 in total. The Royal Canadian Mint is the only national mint to issue an annual set of coins in a specimen brilliant/frosted relief against a distinctive lined surfaced background finish. For additional information, please visit the online webshop of the Royal Canadian Mint.