The second coin in the handsome Sea Creatures series, this piece is struck in 1/25th of an ounce of pure gold, and features an unusual face value of 50 cents.

The seahorse is one of the most fascinating creatures in the sea, and the province of Nova Scotia is fortunate to have one species of this extraordinary fish living along its coastline. It's the lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus), and its unique characteristics go far beyond its horse-like head, including a tail like a monkey; changing colours (and shapes!) like a chameleon; and a brood pouch like a kangaroo on the males so they can hatch and raise as many as 700 fry until they know how to swim!

The seahorse's eyes are reminiscent of a chameleon's and can also swivel about independently. Fish scales have been replaced by a bony armour that covers the seahorse's body in a series of rings, and the small dorsal fin, used for small amounts of propulsion, makes it easy to envision why this fish is not a good swimmer and needs a strong, monkey-like tail to pull itself around in the seaweed or coral.