2017 Canada 1 oz Silver $20 Nocturnal By Nature: The Brown Bat

---

The night sky comes alive on this 2017 silver coin from the Royal Canadian Mint, which features a striking design dedicated to the brown bat. Struck from one troy ounce of 99.99 percent pure silver, the coin utilizes a specialized plating technique to achieve its dramatic visual impact. By applying dark black rhodium across the surface, the creators established a deep, midnight backdrop that contrasts sharply with the shining silver elements of the design. On the reverse, artist Calder Moore captures a dynamic moment in the nocturnal world as a brown bat swoops downward toward its target. Behind the flying mammal, a large, detailed moon is engraved into the silver, casting a bright glow that pierces the rhodium darkness. This side also bears the word CANADA, the face value of 20 DOLLARS, and the year 2017. The obverse features the classic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, set against the same dark, plated field. This proof-quality release was limited to a production of 7,000 pieces, making it a fascinating study in how modern minting technology can be used to mimic the natural contrast of light and shadow in the wild.