1997 $8 Grizzly Bear Stamp, Mint, Canada

Mint Stamp Tribute to the Grizzly Bear

Issued in 1997 by Canada Post, this mint high-value stamp honors the Grizzly Bear (ursus arctos horriblis). The stamp’s fine engraving captures every detail of this majestic mammal prowling the grassy prairie.  A few interesting features include: the hidden number eight in the bear’s far back let, and the color of the...  more

Mint Stamp Tribute to the Grizzly Bear

Issued in 1997 by Canada Post, this mint high-value stamp honors the Grizzly Bear (ursus arctos horriblis). The stamp’s fine engraving captures every detail of this majestic mammal prowling the grassy prairie.  A few interesting features include: the hidden number eight in the bear’s far back let, and the color of the grass and sky being comprised of little bears.

Grizzly bears, or North American brown bears, live in Alaska, southwestern Canada, as well as parts of northwest United States. These particular bears have a hump on their shoulders made up of muscle that helps them to dig with their long front claws. Having suffered from overhunting and low reproductive rates, grizzly bears have special protection in the United States as well as Canada. 

To bring this scene to live, Canada Post used a combination of lithography and intaglio. Canadian Bank Note master engraver Jorge Peral engraved the stamp using classic steel. 

This is a neat issue packed with detail.  You’ll want to add it to your collection today.