2013 Specimen Set: Black Bear Cubs - Special Edition

• Country:Canada
• Collection:BaseMetal Collectible Specimen Premium 1967 2010-2015
• Metal:Base Metal
• Year:2013
• Denomination:Sets
• Finish:Specimen
• Mintage:17218
• Product type:Coin

The reverse image, designed by Canadian artist Glen Loates, features two young black bear cubs smiling and playing on a fallen tree in the forest. One cub has three paws on the log, climbing up, as these bears are known to do, to get a better view. The other cub leans against the tree and has an open mouth, perhaps panting from a lively play session with her sibling. A tree branch hangs in the background behind the cubs, and fallen leaves crunch under their paws. The reverse is engraved with the word "CANADA," the date "2013" and the face value of "2 DOLLARS." The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Black bears are the smallest and most common bear species found in North America. They can be found in all provinces and territories in Canada, except for Prince Edward Island. Although they live mainly in forested areas, these impressive animals have been known to venture into communities in search of food. Since they can be dangerous to humans, signs reading "Please don't feed the bears!" are a common sight in campsites and rural areas near black bear habitats.
Despite their name, black bears can range in colour from cinnamon, to chocolate, to jet black, and in some rare cases, even white. They may look slow, but they are capable of great bursts of speed when needed - some have been clocked at more than 50 kilometres per hour for short distances!
Canadian folklore is rich with stories about these magnificent creatures. The popular children's book character Winnie-the-Pooh was named after a Canadian black bear named Winnipeg that the author often saw at the London Zoo. Black bears also feature prominently in the stories and traditions of Canada's Aboriginal Peoples.
In autumn, these bears retreat into their dens to hibernate for several months. The mother bear, called a sow, gives birth to her cubs during her winter hibernation, usually in the late January to early February. A typical litter consists of two black bear cubs. They are born blind and helpless, with fine, gray, down-like hair, and are nursed by their mother, in the den, until the spring. When spring arrives the family leaves the den together in search of food. Although the cubs are independent at about six months of age, they stay with their mother for the first two years of their life.

Mintage: 17,500
Finish: Specimen
Certificate: Serialized
Artist: Glen Loates ($2 coin design)