— Just like the new coin issued to celebrate his history-making mission, Jeremy Hansen discovered a surprise when looking back from the moon.

"I have just been taken by the waxing and waning Earth from our different perspectives," said the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut from on board NASA's Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission. "From one hour to just a few hours later up here, we can see a completely different Earth as this orbit changes, especially when we were close."

The Royal Canadian Mint's Moon Mission-1 $20 silver coin features a similar reveal, depending on how the piece is lit. The coin's reverse symbolizes Canada's role on the four-person Artemis II crew through its depiction of a CSA astronaut dressed in an Orion Crew Survival System (OCSS) pressure suit — the same type Hansen and his three American crewmates (Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch) wore during the 10-day Artemis II flight.

On the coin's tail side, designed by Canadian artist Pandora Young, the astronaut is backdropped by an enlarged engraving of the moon. The blue-trimmed, orange OCSS suit is rendered in color, including the Royal Canadian Air Force badge displayed above a CSA patch at the center of the chest panel. The Canadian flag is also depicted on the left shoulder.

When illuminated under black light, the moon glows and a view of Earth reflected in the astronaut's helmet visor becomes visible.

"The surprise color reveal allows the viewer to imagine the thrill of experiencing the Earth seen from the Moon — an awe-inspiring view that, before this mission, no Canadian has had the chance to witness firsthand," reads the coin's description on the Royal Canadian Mint website.

A black-light flashlight is included with each 99.99% pure silver coin, which retails for $200.28 (US) or $279.95 Canadian. A total of 7,500 coins have been minted.

"What I love about this coin is that anybody could be inside that space suit — iit encourages Canadians to envision their place in humanity's adventure beyond Earth," said Young. "What we see in place of a specific set of features is, from the midst of celestial splendor, a reverie on the beauty of our own home world reflected back."

As an Artemis II mission specialist, Hansen is now the first Canadian and the first non-American to fly to the moon. He is also one of the first four people to visit Earth's natural satellite since the end of the U.S. Apollo program's lunar missions in December 1972, 53 years ago.

"Canada's seat on Artemis II is a testament to bold vision and determination — a seat earned through courageous decisions, world-class innovation and meaningful contributions. I hope that this mission makes Canadians proud. And that it is a reminder of what we can do when we work together," said Hansen in a statement released by the mint.

The obverse (or head's side) of the coin features an effigy of King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

The Moon Mission-1 coin continues a history of the Royal Canadian Mint issuing coins in recognition of Canada's efforts in space. The mint celebrated the 25th anniversary of Canadian astronaut Roberta Bondar's space shuttle mission in 2016 and the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Space Agency in 2014. Gold and holographic coins were also struck depicting the Canadarm robotic arm and CSA astronaut Chris Hadfield in 2006.

The new Artemis II collectible may be ordered directly from the Royal Canadian Mint, including through its boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, and at participating Canada Post outlets. The coin is being sold outside Canada by the mint's global network of dealers and distributors.