Pièce 1 once d'or Pysanka 2023 | Monnaie royale canadienne

Celebrate the sun’s return and the season of renewal with this 99.99% pure gold Ukrainian Easter egg.

Gold, like the sunflower, is associated with the sun, eternity and the powers of life, which makes it especially fitting that the pairing is featured on this pysanka-themed coin.

The sunflower’s sunny charm and shape make it the perfect representation of the sun’s powerful energy, while its golden colour naturally evokes feelings of warmth and familiarity. And on this 99.99% pure gold pysanka coin, the beloved floral emblem of the Ukrainian people is surrounded by symbols that celebrate the sun’s return, and with it, the arrival of spring.

Celebrate the season of renewal and add this exquisite pysanka art masterpiece to your collection.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• The art of pysanky. The 2023 pure gold pysanka coin marks the continuation of a proud springtime tradition of paying tribute to Ukrainian culture and artistry in Canada.
• Coveted and cherished. Only 275 are available worldwide, and all previous pysanka coins sold out quickly.
• Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

A SUNNY FLORAL MOTIF

The beloved floral emblem of Ukrainians, the sunflower evokes feelings of warmth and luminosity. On this gold tribute, the uplifting flower is accompanied by other symbols that, together, celebrate the cyclical aspects of life and the sun’s return each spring.

INCOMPARABLE GLEAM

The all-gold pysanka is crafted in 99.99% pure gold with a luminous proof finish that casts its glow over all the richly symbolic and meaningful details.

CREATED WITH LOVE AND CARE

The engraved-only floral motif combines highly intricate detailing and polishes that reflect the highest caliber of minting and exemplify world-class craftsmanship.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The sunflower became a popular pysanka motif after its introduction to Ukraine in the 18ᵗʰ century. Its shape and colour are symbolic of the yellow-rayed sun, the flower’s namesake and the source of all life and warmth. Young plants and immature buds famously track the course of the sun across the sky—a process known as heliotropism—while mature flowers face east to greet the rising sun, and that makes the sunflower a fitting sun symbol. It can also symbolize renewal and regrowth, since new flowers grow from seeds dropped in late summer.

DESIGN AND ARTIST

Designed by Canadian artist Dave Melnychuk, the pysanka coin features a festive motif of sunflowers and other solar symbols that celebrate the sun’s return. Each sunflower’s petals are arranged in a pattern similar to the traditional eight-pointed star that symbolizes wholeness and luminosity. They are encircled by vines associated with wisdom and the vine of life, and whose spiralling form mirrors the cyclical and eternal aspects of life and time. These combined motifs form one of the most common symbols for the sun, a circle with a dot in the centre, which is also an alchemical symbol for gold. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.

"My goal was to create a design that could stand on its own, as well as complement the gold pysanka coins from previous years. This year's design is much more floral, containing no straight lines – it's all curves and arabesques – though there is still a rigorous geometric (and symmetric) foundation. The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine and a favourite of gardeners; on this coin, it is a joyful affirmation of Ukrainian tradition and the cycle of life." - DAVE MELNYCHUK, Artist

"The depiction of the sunflower on the gold coin issued for 2023 is one of pure joy and reverence for the role of the sun, and the gift of the sunflower, to the world. Honoured in many cultures around the world, the sunflower has an honoured and significant role in Ukrainian folklore, tradition, and the arts. Venerated for its strength, beauty, and the symbolism is signifies, this truly will be a most treasured offering of the Royal Canadian Mint." JANET C. PREBUSHEWSKY DANYLIUK, Former Director and CEO, Ukrainian Museum of Canada

"The sunflower is a commonly used symbol for pysanka designs, and we wanted to bring it to life on our popular gold pysanka coin for 2023. We hope collectors will be delighted with this intricate and exquisite rendering of the sunflower, as we celebrate spring’s arrival and the return of sunny days!" ALICIA COOK SAPENE, Product Manager

PACKAGING

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT

The Royal Canadian Mint is known as one of the most reputable mints in the world. The Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint opened in 1908 and was renamed The Royal Canadian Mint in 1931 when control was transferred to the Canadian government. The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for producing some of the highest quality and purity of gold and silver bullion coins and bars in the world. Their high standards for excellence and quality allowed them to be the first refinery to manufacture 9999 fine gold bullion coins in 1982, as well as the first to reach 99999 fine gold purity in 1998.