Nunavik art appears on $5 coin

The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a new $5 collectors coin featuring the work of Nunavik artist Ulaayu Pilurtuut.

The coin, called 'Mother Ice Fishing,' was unveiled earlier this week at a Montreal art gallery.

The coin features a relatively new technology of using selective oxidation on niobium metal.

"This particular coin has a bright purple tint to it, around the image of an Inuit mother ice fishing with an infant on her back, and it is the work of an Inuit artist from Northern Quebec," said Alex Reeves, the communications manager with the Mint.

The original artwork was a two-toned ink drawing. It has been reproduced in 99.99 per cent silver,embedded with the vibrant purple niobium insert.

The coin sells for $139.95. It goes on sale on June 4 through the Mint and June 11 atparticipating Canada Post offices.

The Mint will make 6,500 of the coins.