2013 Canada Silver $10 Holiday Candles .51oz

• Country:Canada
• Collection:Silver Commemorative $10
• Metal:Silver
• Year:2013
• Denomination:$10
• Finish:Complete
• Weight (oz):0.51
• Purity:0.9999
• Mintage:3188
• Product type:Coin

Celebrate the beauty and warmth of the winter holiday season with this stunning enamelled fine silver coin.

The reverse image by Canadian artist Claudio D'Angelo centres on three red enamelled pillar candles in candle holders. The central candle is the tallest and is flanked by a slightly shorter candle on its right and an even shorter candle on its left. All three candles are coloured with red enamel-a technical feature that requires specialized engraving to ensure that the enamel spreads and sets accurately within the image. The three candles are lit, glow lines emanating brightly from their flames. They sit in identical footed candle holders specially engraved to appear to cast a burnished glow of their own. The candles are set against a background featuring two large pinecones-the one on the left lying on its side and the one on the right standing upright-and a decorative bough of soft pine needle sprigs.

No matter how tiny, even the smallest pinprick of light can ward off darkness. For thousands of years, the flicker of candlelight has served to calm, connect and comfort humanity. Around this miniscule light we have long gathered, united in community, joined against the cold dark of winter, bonded in the joyful reminder that light and renewal always follow even the gloomiest of seasons. Before there were candles, there was fire; perhaps it is here in our earliest moments as a communal species that we learned to circle together around the protective flame.
Humans have practiced chandlery for thousands of years. The earliest examples of candles are found in Asia, where they were fashioned using rice paper wicks and wax from various sources, including insects, nuts and whale fat.
In some parts of Europe and the Middle East, where combustibles like olive oil were plentiful, people used oil lamps for night-time light, and candles came much later-although candle use probably took hold earlier in northern Europe, where olive oil was rare and expensive.
In Europe, chandlery began in earnest in the Middle Ages. By the 14th century, chandlery guilds were well established throughout the continent. Early candles were made primarily from rendered animal fat, called tallow, although beeswax was another important wax source. Despite the unpleasant odour of tallow candles and relative expense of beeswax candles, candle use became so popular that it gave rise to candle-centered holiday traditions, such as Candlemas.
Candles were readily integrated into religious practice throughout Europe and in many other cultures. Their symbolic value as a light against the darkness of night or winter, and their utilitarian importance in extending human productivity, lends them a poignancy that resonates to this day.
During the long dark months of the Canadian winter, millions of Canadians light candles to relieve doldrums, welcome guests, celebrate religious and cultural festivals and bring the soft, warm beauty of candlelight into their home