$20 Master of the Land: The Timber Wolf Silver Coin

The adage 'there is power in numbers' rings true when it comes to the timber wolf (Canis lupus), which prefers to play, hunt and travel in a tight-knit pack of up to 12 wolves. This fine silver coin pays tribute to a keystone species whose howl serves an unmistakable call of the wild—one that puts everyone on alert and asserts the wolf’s reign as master of the land.

The reverse image by Canadian artist Tony Bianco transports the viewer into the midst of a pack of timber wolves out in the Canadian wilderness. This unique “insider” access allows for a rare close-up of three pack members, with two wolves facing right while the other in the foreground faces left. A side-profile view allows for a close examination of each wolf’s features, which are rendered in finely detailed engraving with advanced shading techniques that give the design a remarkably life-like appearance. Even the engraved texture of the fur conveys movement, as the wolves tilt their heads in unison towards the sky to release their howls into the night air.