To celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, the Royal Mint announced Dr. Timothy Hsia’s northern lights design will grace the reverse (or tails) side of the 2017 two-dollar circulation coin.

“To me, this radiant light display embodies Canada’s unity and beauty,” said Timothy Hsia. He called his design ‘Dance of the Spirits’ after how the Cree people attribute the northern lights to the special moment when the spirits manifest themselves, dancing, to the human eyes and minds below.

Hsia’s design shows a pair of paddlers dwarfed by a night sky alive with the Aurora Borealis while the paddlers are awestruck.

In March, the Mint launched a national contest for a 2017 circulation coin series celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary from five theme perspectives: Our Wonders, Our Character, Our Achievements, Our Passions, and Canada’s Future.

For more information, visit www.mint.ca.