Canada 2004 Golden Flowers #3 - Easter Lily 50 Cents Silver Proof Half Dollar with 24-Karat Gold Plating

From ancient artifacts to Roman mythology and the Bible, evidence of the lily's influence on the world's cultures can be traced back thousands of years. During the Middle Ages, lily bulbs were a treasured delicacy in Asia. In fact, it was a species from southern Japan that we now know as the Easter Lily, as commonly seen throughout the world. Lilium longiflorum was first brought to Europe in 1684, but two hundred years would pass before it was introduced to North America.

A missionary with an interest in botany was returning home from Japan with numerous specimens that he had collected. During a stopover in Bermuda, he proudly gave some to the Episcopal rector of a local parish. The conditions on the island were ideal and the lily flourished. Growing interest soon brought this flower to Philadelphia and its popularity spread throughout North America. With milky white flowers that naturally bloomed at Easter, it became known as the Easter Lily - and its regal display continues to inspire joy, life and hope to this day.

This is the third annual entry in the very popular Golden Flowers series.

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Technology Note
The Royal Canadian Mint’s proprietary selective gold plating process is the most advanced in the world, resulting in unparalleled precision and beauty.

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Obverse
Easter lily blossoms along with buds, leaves and stalks are accented in 24-karat gold plating on a field of silver. A stylized “2004” appears to the left.

Reverse
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The denomination and the legend ELIZABETH II also appear.

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Packaging
The coin is encapsulated inside a green leatherette, clamshell-style presentation box lined with green velvet and protected by a full-color outer sleeve. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.

Specifications