OTTAWA -- The Royal Canadian Mint is launching a collection of bejewelled coins, including a one-kilogram platinum piece adorned with hundreds of diamonds.

Called "The Ultimate," the one-of-a-kind piece is headlining the mint's new collection of gold and platinum coins featuring pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in western Australia.

The "Ultimate," which has a face value of $2,500, is made of 99.95 per cent pure platinum and has a rose-gold-plated rim.

The piece is engraved with a cherry blossom design by Canadian artist Derek Wicks.

A total of 462 pink diamonds embellish the petals of dozens of flowers that converge into a central bloom.

Toronto's Heffel Fine Art Auction House estimates "The Ultimate" could fetch between $700,000 and $900,000 at a live sale on May 31.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2022.