Craigdarroch Castle’s collection of fine stained glass will soon be featured on a new silver collector coin by the Royal Canadian Mint.
Officially unveiled today, the coin, which features a replica of one of the stained glass windows that adorns Craigdarroch Castle, is the first in the Royal Canadian Mint’s Stained Glass series of coins.
Coated in glass-like enamel, the $20 coin shines and reflects light much like the exquisite Victorian residential stained and leaded glass collection for which Craigdarroch Castle is renowned.
“This stunning coin is a wonderful celebration of the stained glass windows that are admired by the thousands of people that visit Craigdarroch Castle each year,” said John Hughes, executive director of Craigdarroch Castle.
“It’s an honour for us to work with the Royal Canadian Mint, and to see our stained glass collection’s timeless beauty and craftsmanship forever immortalized on this fine coin.”
The focal point of the coin’s design is made up of a grouping of six brightly coloured flowers.
To create a stained glass effect, each petal is filled in by hand with blue, purple and red translucent enamel and green translucent enamel painted as veined leaves.
A diverging brick pattern, like that of the castle’s original windows, serves as a backdrop to the flowers, while the obverse of the coin features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth by Canadian portrait artist Susanna Blunt.
A national historic site, Craigdarroch Castle’s stained glass collection is believed to be one of the most exquisite in North America.
The history of the stained glass, however, is largely a mystery. An 1890 newspaper clipping mentions an order for interior woodwork from Chicago furniture company A.H. Andrews & Co. that included “windows.” However, it’s unclear if the order is in reference to the cherry window sash only or if it includes the stained glass windows.
With a limited mintage of 7,500 coins, the Craigdarroch Castle coin retails for $129.95. To purchase, please telephone the Royal Canadian Mint toll-free 1-800-267-1871 or go online here.