This is the story of a leap towards recovery.

The loss of even a small species can have big consequences for its surroundings, and so it is with the northern leopard frog—as an indicator species, its wellbeing speaks volumes about the health of wetland ecosystems.

Depicted on the 2024 Specimen Dollar, the northern leopard frog was once widespread, but in western Canada, populations have been in sharp decline due to disease, habitat loss and degradation, and the introduction of invasive species. The Rocky Mountain population in British Columbia has been designated “endangered” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) but there’s some good news: the B.C. Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Team are working to prevent this amphibian’s local extinction. As part of this team, the Wilder Institute supports head-starting efforts, a conservation breeding program and wild-to-wild translocations. Together with their partners, the Wilder Institute is giving northern leopard frog populations a much-needed helping hand and a shot at bouncing back.

The 2024 Specimen Dollar features one of British Columbia’s most at-risk species.

Good to know

Fifth in the series. This is the fifth specimen set in a series that is helping to raise awareness of wildlife conservation and species recovery efforts in Canada.

A world exclusive. We are the only mint that issues an annual set of coins in a specimen finish (brilliant/frosted relief against a lined background). This Specimen Set continues to be one of the most popular sets produced each year by the Royal Canadian Mint.

New effigy. This is the first specimen set to feature the Canadian effigy of His Majesty King Charles III. The effigy appears on every circulation coin featured in this set.

A set exclusive specimen dollar. For 2024, the set’s specimen dollar highlights the plight of the endangered Rocky Mountain population of northern leopard frog, and the species’ leap towards recovery. The specimen dollar is exclusive to this set—it is not available for individual purchase.

Packaged for easy viewing. All six coins—$2, the specimen $1, 50 cents, 25 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents—come ready for viewing and are presented side-by-side in elegant book-style packaging (with a removable lens) that will further enhance your enjoyment of these coins.

For nature and wildlife lovers. Inspire a child to collect coins: this affordable set’s educational theme makes it a great gift for animal lovers of all ages, and its educational theme makes it the perfect starter set for a new collector.

Limited supply. Mintage is limited to 30,000 sets.

Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

Did you know?

The only remaining population of northern leopard frogs in British Columbia is located in a protected area: the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area in south-central B.C.

The semi-aquatic northern leopard frog plays an important ecological role by transferring nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Behind closed doors

"This portrayal underscores both the importance of preserving both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems necessary for the survival of the northern leopard frog, and also how fragile it is, as its weight barely registers on the vegetation on which it rests. Yet, its fingers and toes also brace against the plants, indicating how it absolutely requires other species in its environment to support it ecologically, and how we must think in terms of the connectivity of ecosystems when we endeavour to protect them."

– Julius Csotonyi, Artist

"While the northern leopard frog might be a small animal, it holds a large place in my heart with everything that makes it so unique, especially its iconic song. Many British Columbia wetlands are currently missing the sounds of their chuckles and snores. I’m extremely proud to be part of the larger B.C. Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Team working to bring their song back across their historical range in the province. We’re excited that this coin shares the story of the northern leopard frog and will help the species make its way into the hearts of many other Canadians."

– Rebecca Stanton, Interim Conservation Research Population Ecologist, Wilder Institute

"Conservation breeding comes along with a whole range of questions. How do we maintain and diversify genetics? How can we maximize animal welfare? What habitat requirements would best mimic the species’ wild home? At the Wilder Institute, we’re committed to answering these questions for the northern leopard frogs in our conservation breeding program. With every tadpole or frog that enters our facility, we look forward to learning more about how we can create a more hopeful future for this species."

– Caitlin Spade, Manager of Animal Care at the Archibald Biodiversity Centre and Wildlife Conservation Centre, Wilder Institute

About the design

Your specimen set comes in elegant book-style packaging, with a removable lens that allows for easy viewing of your coins.

Reverse: Northern Leopard Frog (specimen dollar design)

The set-exclusive specimen dollar features a reverse design by artist Julius Csotonyi. Its depiction of a northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) shows the amphibian partially submerged in its wetland habitat, where it gently rests on aquatic vegetation, such as Ceratophyllum demersum.

Obverse: His Majesty King Charles III

The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Product # 246021

Specimen Set - Conservation Stories: Northern Leopard Frog (2024)