Royal Canadian Mint Selects Coin Design by AMPD Alum Jai Paek
The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled the latest addition to its fine silver Lunar Year series with the release of coin #3, designed by Jai Paek, a York University alum from the Design program. The 1 oz. Pure Silver Coin — Lunar Year of the Dragon marks the continuation of this unique coin series that commenced in 2022 with the Year of the Tiger coin.
Celebrating the Year of the Dragon, the silver $15 coin was inspired by Chinese folk art, which is depicted via the whimsical dragon and its intricate details on the reverse of the coin.
Paek reflects on the symbolism of the Dragon on the official website for the coin, stating, “The Dragon, a mystical creature, is said to embody all the divine traits a person can aspire to in a lifetime: strength, endurance, indestructibility, wisdom and grace. As a father and designer, I choose which of these qualities I hone and indulge in, and pass on to my kin in an effort to shape them into strong, determined and compassionate human beings who will marvel at and protect the beauty of our planet. The Wood Dragon borrows its unique qualities from the strong, yet flexible material itself; its warmth, generosity, co-operation and idealism make him an outgoing and socially conscious seeker of infinite growth and expansion”.
Notably, Paek is part of a proud lineage of York Design alumni contributing to this prestigious coin series. Another accomplished alum, Lily Kao, had her design selected for the 1 oz. pure silver coin commemorating the Year of the Rabbit in 2023 and the 1 oz. pure silver coin representing the Year of the Tiger in 2022.
For more information on this series, visit www.mint.ca.
