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2023 Canada $50 Pingualuit Crater - Crystal Eye of Nunavik Fine Silver (No Tax)
In the heart of the lunar-esque landscape of the Ungava Peninsula, in Nunavik, Quebec, lies a breathtaking lake with pure blue waters that stand out in any aerial view. A geological marvel, Pingualuit Crater Lake was created when a meteorite struck the Earth approximately 1.4 million years ago. This colourful 99.99% pure silver coin offers you an awe-inspiring view of the natural wonder: under normal light, you see the Crystal Eye of Nunavik peering out into space; under a black light, the reverse design whisks you back in time for a view of the landscape-altering meteorite, mere moments before it slammed into prehistoric Canada and left an almost perfectly circular impact scar.
Meteorites often strike at an angle, but the one that created Pingualuit Crater Lake came down almost vertically, resulting in the near-perfect circle imprinted on the earth’s surface. The impact created a ring that measures 3.4 kilometres in diameter, and when the ice sheet receded during the last ice age, water filled the crater to form a lake that is 267 metres deep. Because there are no inflows or outlets, the lake holds some of the clearest freshwater on Earth. It’s also home to a single species of fish, the Arctic char… though no one knows how the fish got there.
Formerly known as Chubb Crater and New Quebec Crater, Pingualuit Crater Lake was the first meteorite crater to be recognized in Canada (others have since been identified). Local Nunavimmiut have long known about its existence, and it is regarded as a sacred site of healing. Outside of the Pingualuit region, the crater lake was a well-kept secret until 1943, when an American aircrew spotted it. Its unusual shape and vivid colour made it a useful navigational aid for pilots, and because of its remote location, geological expeditions to the crater didn’t begin until the 1950s.
Thanks to the crater’s deep (400 metres) shape, sediment deposits at the bottom of Pingualuit Crater Lake escaped glacial erosion and are remarkably well preserved. These sediments have yielded information about climate change, and they provide a long-term record of environmental history dating back to (at least) the last two glacial periods.
Designed by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin, the coin’s reverse features a colourful space view of Pingualuit Crater Lake on the Ungava Peninsula, in Nunavik, Quebec. Above the blue circular lake and its (engraved) surroundings, the detailed depiction of the Moon, the shooting stars and the Milky Way inspire awe for the wonders of the cosmos, and a deeper understanding of both the splendour and vulnerability of Earth. These elements glow when viewed under black light, which reveals a second image: a view of the meteorite on its collision course with Earth and directly above its eventual impact site. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.
Specifications:
Item Number: 206833
Mintage: 2,500
Composition: 99.99% pure silver, with black light paint technology
Weight: 157.6 g
Diameter: 65.25 mm
Face Value: $50
Finish: Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Neil Hamelin (reverse), Susannah Blunt (obverse)
Special Features:
• Brace for impact! Discover a marvel of nature, one uniquely shaped by a meteorite that collided with Earth 1.4 million years ago.
• Two scenes on one coin! The coin's reverse features a colourful space view of Pingualuit Crater Lake on the Ungava Peninsula, in Nunavik, Quebec. But a second image—one that only reveals itself under a black light—whisks you back in time, for a view of the meteorite on its collision course with prehistoric Canada and above the eventual impact site.
• Black Light Flashlight included! Each coin comes with a black light flashlight: simply point the light at the coin for a few seconds to activate the embedded paint technology, and watch as the blue lake suddenly appears!
• Journey through space and time! This gives you a front-row seat to an impact event that occurred 1.4 million years ago—an event that produced one of Canada’s most amazing natural physical features, and one of the most impressive meteorite craters on Earth.
• Wonders of the solar system! Already colourful, the space setting includes a Moon view and a glimpse of the Milky Way; these elements, as well as Earth’s edge and the lake below, glow when the black light technology is activated.
• For the love of science and art! It’s the perfect collectible or gift for astronomers, sky gazers, geologists and explorers.
• Low, low mintage! Only 2,500 coins are available to collectors worldwide!
Packaging:
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.
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