Capture the elusive Great Lynx, the Native American Spirit of the Underwater Panther, with this massive, crown-size color quarter, 3rd in the new Mythical Creatures series!

The Complete 3-Coin Collection consisting of all three different Mythical Creatures may be available - click here to see if it is!

Mishepishu (pronounced Mee-shee-PEE-shoe, and also spelt Mishipeshu), whose name comes from the Algonquin Ojibwe word meaning "Great Water Lynx" or "Underwater Panther", is described as a huge lynx with horns on his head, a scaly, dragon-like body and the tail of a fish. As a shape-shifting Native American spirit, this water-dwelling feline lives in the bottom of Lake Superior, Lake Ontario, and possibly other Great Lakes as well. Mishepishu’s job is to protect the copper and other metals found in the rocks throughout the region. This is why legend says that its horns are made of copper. Mishipeshu is reputed to be the source for the sudden, and extremely dangerous) storms that erupt on the Great Lakes - warnings from this Water Spirit that one has gotten too close to his treasures!

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Are the Native American reports of the great, water dwelling lynx merely myth? Or could this legendary spirit of the Great Lakes possibly exist? You can decide with this truly stunning, oversized quarter with a full-color image of the elusive Mishepishu, the third in the new Mythical Creatures series!

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The Great Water Lynx of the Lakes
Mishipeshu, also spelled Mishepishu, is the most important water beings for the Ojibwa, a tribe of the Algonquian Indians. It received its name from its looks; Mishipeshu translates as "The Great Lynx" or "Underwater Panther". It has the head and paws of a giant cat but is covered in scales and has dagger-like spikes running along its back and tail.

Mishipeshu is merely a legend to some, but for the Algonquin Indians, it is as real as the water and the precious metal it guards. Mishipeshu the lynx is known for hoarding vast amounts of copper in Lake Superior, and the Great Lakes Region. For this reason, mining copper in its environs was taboo, forbidden by the Ojibwa tribe. It was even worse to take it from the Great Lynx's home, Michipicoten Island - this was considered to be stealing from Mishipeshu himself. One should always beware the wrath of Mishipeshu, who possesses power over the volatility of the Great Lakes.

Although legends also claim there are many Mishepishu throughout the Great Lakes, you’ll probably never see a live Mishepishu because they can change form so quickly. But if you ever see a storm cloud suddenly form over one of the Great Lakes, it may be the great Mishepishu warning you not to get too close to his treasures.

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Mythical Creatures
The oversized Mishepishu Underwater Panther Color Quarter is the 3rd in a series of three Mythical Creatures to be released by the Royal Canadian Mint. The coins in this series are:

    Bigfoot or Sasquatch (also known as the Yeti)
    Memphré the Lake Monster
    Mishipeshu the Water Dwelling Lynx of the Great Lakes

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Technology Note
The RCM leads the world with its proprietary colorization technology, in which the color is actually sealed on the coin. The intricate detail, smooth gradients, and extreme precision of the technology create a stunning, full-color portrait on each coin.

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The Specimen Finish
This coin features the uniquely-Canadian "specimen" finish, a three-fold combination of different finishes. The design (raised area or relief) includes both frosted and mirrored surfaces, while the fields (background) are subtly striated, resulting in a contrasting, matte appearance. No other mint in the world employs the specimen finish.

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Obverse
The water spirit Mishepishu, the great lynx of the Great Lakes, swims through its watery habitat, rendered in color by the Royal Canadian Mint's proprietary colorization technology. The date of issue and denomination are both indicated.

Reverse
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian Coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend The legend ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA ("Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God") also appears.

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The coin is encapsulated inside an oversized, bilingual, full-color presentation folder (which includes information about the monster), protected by a full-color sleeve.

Specifications