The mint’s one-kilogram platinum coin fetches more than $1.2 million at auction

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OTTAWA - A one-kilogram platinum coin encrusted with hundreds of diamonds fetched more than $1.2 million at auction.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/06/2022 (1568 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA – A one-kilogram platinum coin encrusted with hundreds of diamonds fetched more than $1.2 million at auction.

The Heffel Fine Art Auction House says an anonymous buyer took the Royal Canadian Mint’s “The Ultimate” piece after heated bidding Tuesday.

Heffel says the price, which includes auction house fees, exceeded the pre-sale estimate of between $700,000 and $900,000 to set a new record for a coin offered at auction in Canada.

A one-kilogram platinum coin encrusted with hundreds of diamonds fetched more than $1.2 million at auction. The Heffel Fine Art Auction House says an anonymous buyer took the Royal Canadian Mint's
A one-kilogram platinum coin encrusted with hundreds of diamonds fetched more than $1.2 million at auction. The Heffel Fine Art Auction House says an anonymous buyer took the Royal Canadian Mint's "The Ultimate" piece after heated bidding Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-The Royal Canadian Mint **MANDATORY CREDIT**

“The Ultimate” has a face value of $2,500, is made of 99.95 per cent pure platinum, and has a rose-gold-plated rim.

The piece is engraved with a cherry blossom design by Canadian artist Derek Wicks.

A total of 462 pink diamonds embellish the petals of dozens of flowers that converge into a central bloom.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2022.

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