Nova Scotian’s artwork in circulation as 5-cent coin for Canada 150

It may be small in terms of currency and size, but the fact a Nova Scotian’s artwork is on the face of the Royal Canadian Mint’s new 5-cent circulation coin is big news.

The artwork is one of the coins released to celebrate Canada 150.

Gerald Gloade of Truro, N.S. said he entered into the Mint’s My Canada, My Inspiration contest that launched in 2015 to find coin designs to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian Federation. After receiving thousands of entries, according to a news release, 25 finalists were chosen, Gloade was one of them.

READ MORE: Canada Day trivia: How many of these 150 facts do you know?

In a video posted on YouTube by the Mint, Gloade said the contest was an opportunity to be part of the 150th celebration.

“I was like, ‘Hey, it’s my chance to throw my hat in the ring and see what happens,'” Gloade said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I was like, 'Hey, it's my chance to throw my hat in the ring and see what happens,'" Gloade said.

A group of Canadian celebrities then evaluated the final 25 entries and more than one million votes were then cast by the public to select the winners. Five coins were chosen for circulation.

Gloade’s design is called “Living Traditions” and features a beaver “in the traditional style of his northeastern woodland Algonkian heritage”. The design is also influenced by the wildlife theme from the 100th anniversary coins in 1967. The design, however, also celebrates the importance of First Nations culture to Canada.

“I’ve always treasured the Alex Colville-designed set of centennial coins that I received as a young boy and having the chance to leave your own mark on a Canadian circulation coin is an amazing way to be involved in the celebration of Canada 150,” Gloade said.

READ MORE: Free things Canadians can get for Canada 150

“As a proud Mi’kmaq, I was inspired to re-imagine the beaver of our traditional five-cent coin through the eyes of my own First Nations culture.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "As a proud Mi'kmaq, I was inspired to re-imagine the beaver of our traditional five-cent coin through the eyes of my own First Nations culture."

The coin is already in circulation alongside the other Canada 150 coins and can be purchased from the Mint if you don’t find it in your change.  There will also be a chance to exchange old five-cent coins for a “Living Traditions” edition coin in Truro at the Shoppers Drug Mart from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday or at the Canada Post Corporate Office in Halifax from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia coffee house takes Canada 150 to new aboriginal interpretation

The other four coins were designed by people in Richmond, B.C., St. Catharines, Ont., Richmond Hill, Ont. and Calgary, Alta.

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