MOA Receives Friedman Collection of Bill Reid's Early Works

UBC's Museum of Anthropology has received a generous donation of eleven of Bill Reid's early works from Dr. Sydney Friedman. The new pieces are valued at over $500,000 and display Reid's technical ability and artistic experimentation at a time when he was first learning European goldsmithing techniques including repousse, casting and overlay. Dr. Friedman and his wife Constance Freidman, who passed away in June 2011, were very prolific scholars and active members of UBC's medical departments and together had published over 200 papers. Their diverse collection will expand MOA's Bill Reid collection to over 250 pieces and has been on display since March 1, 2012.

Photo Credit: MOA

Royal Canadian Mint Bill Reid 10-kg Gold Coin

The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled the world's first 10-kg 99.999% pure gold coin featuring an ultra-high relief engraving of Bill Reid's famous masterpiece The Spirit of Haida Gwaii.

The coin measure 180mm in diameter, has a face-value of $100,000 and is the world's highest denomination non-circulation coin. It was produced using the same press from which the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games athlete medals were produced.

On the reverse side appears the image of Reid's masterpiece, highlighted in a proof finish. There is a striking contrast between the sculpture's image, which is engraved in a satin finish set against a mirror-like background. The image was capture by the now retired Mint Master Engraver Cosme Saffioti. The obverse side features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, created by Susan Blunt in 2003. No more than 15 of these exclusive collector's coins will be produced for collectors of fine art and of fine gold.

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