For many Canadians, the common loon (Gavia immer) is synonymous with summer evenings spent by the lake, where its wavering call embodies the independent spirit of the Canadian wilderness. The much-celebrated Canadian icon strikes a pre-flight pose on the reverse, where a mix of vibrant colour and cutting-edge engraving capture the natural beauty of the loon in its habitat.

The reverse design by Canadian artist Arnold Nogy presents a portrait of a common loon (Gavia immer) on a Canadian lake, where selective colour adds a beautiful vibrancy to the aquatic plants. Spreading its wings, the loon rises high up on the surface of the water with neck outstretched, which provides an unfettered view of its strikingly patterned plumage. As the loon prepares to take flight, the engraved ripples mimic the lake’s reflective surface on a sunny summer day.