CANADA
2011
Tulip With Venetian Glass Ladybug
$20 Fine Silver Coin
Specification:
RCM Number: 114346
Face Value: 20 dollars
Mintage: 5,000
Composition: 99.99% Fine Silver
Weight: 31.39 g
Diameter: 38.0 mm
Edge: Serrated
Finish: Proof (with colour and Venetian glass ladybug on the reverse)
Artist: Mint engravers (coin), Giuliano Donaggio (ladybug) (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)
Every spring, tulips from Holland bloom in Canada's capital, which is the home of the world's largest tulip festival. Not only are the flowers a telltale sign of spring, they are the symbol of friendship between nations. In 1945-46, Holland presented over 100,000 prized tulip bulbs to Canada in thanks for Canada welcoming Holland's Crown Princess and her daughters in 1940, and for Canadian soldiers' efforts to liberate Holland during the Second World War.
In 1940, Queen Wilhelmina sent Crown Princess Juliana out of harm's way to Canada. On 19 January 1943, the only royal baby ever born in North America was born in a room at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. The birth was greeted with hope and strengthened the ties of friendship between Canadians and the Dutch.