CANADA
2006
Butterflies of Canada Short Tailed Swallowtail
50 Cents Sterling Silver Coloured
Specifications:
RCM Number: 1054
Mintage: 24,568
Face Value: 50 Cent
Composition: 92.5% Silver 7.5% Copper
Weight: 9.30 g
Diameter: 27.1 mm
Finish: Proof
Edge: Reeded
ArtistSusan Taylor (reverse), Susanna Blunt (observe)
The fifth coin in this fascinating collection features a butterfly that can only be found in the Maritimes - the Short-tailed Swallowtail.
As its name suggests, the tails on this butterfly are shorter than other Swallowtails. And its wings are stubbier. It has a hint of orange in the rows of yellow dots that run along the edge of its black, rounded wings and a reddish-orange eye spot on the hindwing.
There are three subspecies of Short-tailed Swallowtail. Papilio brevicauda brevicauda has the most orange and can be found in Newfoundland and Anticosti Island while Quebec's P. gaspeensis has the least amount of orange. The third subspecies, P. bretonensis lives on Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia) and the northern shore of New Brunswick.
Like all butterflies, the Short-tailed Swallowtail loves gardens, but it can also be seen flying over cliffs and rocky beaches by the sea, and above the tree line in the mountainous areas of this Atlantic region. It flies from mid-June to the end of July
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