2018 $3 The Thirteen Teachings From Grandmother Moon : Thimbleberry Moon Silver Coin

Experience the sacred wisdom of the spirit world with Thimbleberry Moon, the eighth teaching from Grandmother Moon in the Anishinaabe tradition. In this belief, the moon is viewed as a living relative, making 13 appearances each year to guide and protect Mother Earth's children with her gentle light. Thimbleberry, one of the first plants placed on Mother Earth, symbolizes the unseen forces of Creation and teaches us the importance of preserving the circle of life. After three years of growth, its branches produce an abundant harvest before dying off. However, even in this apparent lifelessness, the spirit world is at work, nurturing new stems to continue the cycle.

This coin is perfect for those who appreciate Indigenous art.

Special Features:

• EIGHTH COIN IN A 13-COIN SERIES! This coin represents the eighth teaching from Grandmother Moon in Anishinaabe tradition, where the moon is seen as a living relative who makes 13 appearances throughout the year to watch over Mother Earth's children and light their paths with her gentle wisdom.
• POWERFUL DEPICTION OF ANISHINAABE THEMES AND TRADITIONS! This series beautifully showcases Indigenous art, renowned for its beauty and profound representation of Anishinaabe themes and traditions.
• LOW MINTAGE! This original work of art is limited to just 4,000 coins worldwide.
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE! Each coin comes with a serialized certificate from the Royal Canadian Mint, uniquely numbered starting from 1.
• 99.99% PURE SILVER! Crafted in 99.99% pure silver, this coin features stunning colour and an exquisite proof finish that highlights every detail of the design.
• NO GST/HST! Enjoy this coin tax-free!

Design:

Algonquin artist Frank Polson has created a mesmerizing image featuring a full moon illuminating the sky behind a tree. On the left, a thimbleberry stem showcases various stages of growth: a flower, an unripe fruit, and ripe, succulent berries. A new sprout at the base of the stem is connected to the unripe fruit by a black line and concentric rings—signature elements of woodland art that symbolize the energetic relationship between "beings" and the spirit world, which animates all things and preserves the sacred circle of life.

Did you know…

The Anishinaabe consider the thimbleberry one of the first plants placed on Mother Earth. Modern botany supports this view, classifying the thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) as an older member of its genus because it lacks thorns, a trait that evolved later. Thimbleberries are among the first plants to take root after a fire or other disturbances.

When ripe, thimbleberries fall effortlessly from the branch and can turn from pink to red within hours in full sun. They are soft and do not travel well, making them impractical for commercial farming. However, Indigenous people highly valued the thimbleberry, often harvesting the pink berries and storing them in cedar bark bags to ripen.

The thimbleberry’s large, velvety leaves are unique within the Rubus genus and were traditionally used to line baskets. A poultice made from dried thimbleberry leaves was used to treat wounds and burns. The leaves were also mixed with strawberry and wild trailing blackberry leaves to make tea. Thimbleberry sprouts, rich in vitamin C, were peeled and eaten raw.