The Double Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) technology, a new minting process led by the Royal Canadian Mint’s R&D team from beginning to end and executed to perfection allowed for the creation of the 2024 Year of the Dragon 99.99% pure gold coin, a Mint first to feature extreme relief on a two-sided design that flows from front to back, reverse to obverse.

A mix of frostings and engraving techniques – on both sides of the coin created multiple viewpoints—from front to back, and from the top down. These different frostings also help accentuate the extreme relief, engraved textures and key portions of this highly intricate design. The wood frame – representing the Wood element, is the laser-engraved wood grain pattern on the coin frames the design on both the reverse and obverse.