The rise of the domed coin continues with the second big release in little over a week. After the new Northern Sky coin from the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) launched last week, it’s the turn of fellow Commonwealth country Canada to join in with the Royal Canadian Mints(RCM) first coloured domed coin. This one goes back to the world of sport, previously dipped into with cricket, baseball, rugby, netball, and football coins.

This new coin celebrates 125 years since the invention of basketball by Canadian, James Naismith. Struck in the usual one troy ounce of fine silver wiith an obverse depicting Queen Elizabeth II, it’s the reverse that is the highlight here. Taking the obvious step of depicting a basketball, coloured in this case, the artist Glen Green hasn’t stopped there. Covering much of the coins reverse face is an uncoloured depiction of two players in full flight, one trying to score and one trying to block. We think it’s a superb piece of design, very dynamic looking, and expertly laid out on the coin. The two basketballs to the left and right are minor distractions, but all said, it’s one of the finest sporting coins out there in our view.

Priced at $159.95 CAD, there will only be 8,500 minted, not many considering the sheer popularity of the sport. Packaging is decent, if pretty generic, and there’s a serialised Certificate of Authenticity enclosed. Available to order now, the coin will ship from 05 July.