A silver round with a Toronto Blue JaysTM logo could be a tangible reminder of a grandfather who deeply loved baseball and always took his granddaughter to games.
A Hot Wheels silver round with a menacing skull grille and skeleton hands that wrap around its headlights could be a whimsical nod to a beloved childhood toy — or a grownup love of hot rods.
A gold bar gifted during the celebration of Diwali as a way to mark the festival of lights, could also be an investment in a precious metal that usually retains its value.
And for those who are looking for a special and unique gift this holiday season, the new TD Bull and Bear Silver Coin, an exclusive piece offered only by TD Precious Metals, might catch their eye.
For collectors and receivers of precious metals, the appeal can be about the piece itself: the beauty, the design and the unique, intricate details. It can also be about what the piece represents, whether it’s a memory, a moment in time, a special tradition or a cultural celebration.
“People often gift precious metals during the holidays, as they make for a unique and special gift,” said Anthony Herceg, director of North American retail foreign exchange and precious metals at TD. “For collectors, there is great excitement in receiving the newest coin or one-of-a-kind piece.”
Collecting exclusive coins and rounds
Made by the Royal Canadian Mint and exclusively available through TD Precious Metals, the 2 oz Bull and Bear Silver coin depicts a bull and a bear – two opposing forces commonly used to define the stock market’s trajectory.
The attack-and-defense strategies employed by these two creatures may be the reason these animal terms are frequently used to describe market trends and conditions. Theirs is a battle for dominance that represents the stock market’s ups and downs, with prices and indexes steadily rising when the bull prevails.
“Enthusiasts will appreciate its symbolic representation of market cycles, capturing both the optimism and caution that define financial strategy,” Herceg said.
But the Bull and Bear coin isn’t the only exclusive design from TD Securities.
The TD Lunar New Year collection features animals from the zodiac calendar. The TD Year of the Divine Dragon coins, released for 2024, feature a five-claw dragon. The 2025 Lunar New Year coins feature a coiled snake decorated with bright red cherry blossoms, traditionally known to be a symbol of happiness and good fortune.
Collectibles, in general, aren’t all the same, either. Collectors might be after a rare and specific piece of currency that’s no longer in circulation — and be willing to line up outside auction houses to acquire one — but they can also be interested in tokens of sports teams, hobbies, and historical events.
“For some it’s a tangible item to hand down to the next generation. For others, it might be the representation of an interest, like a baseball team or an iconic toy,” Herceg said.
“You might purchase a round to commemorate the year your child was born, as a little token of their history. Or maybe you’ll gift a set of coins to a couple getting married.”
It can also be about the chance to own something rare or a little bit odd. The Ghana Alien Silver Coin is both. As part of a series titled "Invasion is Here,” the coin features two out-of-this world aliens, one wearing battle gear.
A gold version of the coin, which features the same aliens but with eyes that glow green under ultraviolet light, quickly became a favourite among collectors from the around the world and sold out earlier this year.
There are also pieces that commemorate a personal or collective support of a cause, like the pure silver TD Pride Round that honours the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
The proceeds from sales of this particular round are donated to Rainbow Railroad, a Canadian charitable organization that is focused on helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals escape violence and persecution in their home countries around the world.
And the value may extend beyond what the market dictates; by acquiring one of these pieces or receiving it as a gift, you could be building a collection of priceless heirlooms that can stay with your family through generations, Herceg said.
“Even if you gift it to a grandchild now, it could be the coin they pull out in 30 years to tell stories about their grandmother,” Herceg said.
“It can be something to hold and remember from a person you loved who maybe isn’t here anymore.”