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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,083 |
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Press Manager
 United States
1420 Posts |
PCGS - I remember the first time I saw a traditional, pre-"Loonie" Canadian Dollar when I was a kid. Two things I loved about it were the lakeside scene with the spruce trees, and the other was the sight of the Aurora Borealis (often known as the "Northern Lights") in the background high above in the sky.  The Aurora Borealis dance in the sky as vertically oriented lines over the placid lakeside scene on the Canadian Voyageur Dollar, issued from 1935 through 1987. Courtesy of PCGS TrueViewBeing born and raised in Florida, I hadn't had many chances to see the Aurora Borealis, which are colorful lights seen high in the sky near the polar regions and caused by solar particles interacting with natural gasses in Earth's magnetic field; a similar phenomenon is known as the Aurora Australis (or "Southern Lights") in the Southern Hemisphere. The Northern Lights are frequently seen over the skies of Canada, and so it was fitting that they appear on the coinage of a nation famous for numismatically showcasing its natural treasures. The first Canadian Dollar featuring the beloved Voyageur design, which incorporates the Northern Lights, was issued in 1935. It was seen during most years of issue for the Canadian Dollar until 1987, with a redesigned "golden" dollar coin bearing a Canadian loon and dubbed a "Loonie" appearing that year. Over the course of more than half a century, the Voyageur Dollar saw many changes. The most notable of these was a debasement of the coin's metallic composition from 80% silver to nearly pure nickel in 1968, the same year the denomination was also reduced in diameter from 36 millimeters to 32.15 millimeters. The Canadian Silver Dollars of 1935 through 1967 are easily among the most popular world coins among American collectors, and they see a huge contingent of collectors on the PCGS Set Registry. The nickel-based Canadian Dollars are also widely collected, with some collectors choosing to build sets inclusive of both the silver and nickel Canadian Dollar.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24906 Posts |
I didn't know that the lines represented the Aurora Borealis! But being from Louisiana, hopefully my former ignorance is excused.
Thank you for this lesson!
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Fascinating!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19112 Posts |
I have a modest collection of them--really like 'em.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1760 Posts |
In 1971 the RCM began the series Canadian Commemorative Silver Dollars, 36mm. Prior to 1971 there were other commemorative silver dollars: 1935, 1939, 1949, 1958, 1964 and 1967, all 36mm and 80% silver content From 1971 to 1980 Commemorative CSD were minted in Specimen finish and after that in Proof finish, sometimes many varieties were struck in a single year. This series continues to the present, and will no doubt in the future. I am presently attempting to complete this set and all its varieties. As well, BU Commemorative CSD were struck in the years 1981 to 2015. Many collectors were surprised and upset when the RCM ended the BU Commemorative series. The Canadian Voyageur Silver Dollar remains my favourite Canadian coin. Edited by Sharks
11/22/2023 10:42 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
999 Posts |
I live in Canada, but too far South to see the Aurora Borealis. It's on my bucket list.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
Quote:
The Canadian Silver Dollars of 1935 through 1967 are easily among the most popular world coins among American collectors Count me in. I've loved them since I was a kid and grandpa passed out his collection to us. I've accumulated almost all of them George V and VI, plus a birth year PL set from QEII. Perhaps the most interesting one is 1946 with a ray of aurora clashed on the obverse. It's a wonderful design. |
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Valued Member
Canada
57 Posts |
@CCFPress very pleased that you used a picture of one of my coins for your post. The 1935 is amazing in hand.
That very dollar and the northern lights are exactly what inspired my collections name, Wâwâhtêwa.
Wâwâhtêwa, otherwise known as Aurora Borealis or The Northern Lights is how Canada's First Nation Cree speakers called this phenomena. This collections name is inspired by the beautiful colours The Aurora's showcase in the Northern Canadian skies. It is also influenced by the reverse design of the the "Voyageur Dollar" portraying two voyageurs a native and first settler paddling in a birch canoe under The Northern Lights. This Canadian Dollar set display's an eye appealing variety of different colourful tones, featuring beautiful strikes and lustres.
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
Nice background - thank you.
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Forum Dad
United States
24147 Posts |
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@CCFPress very pleased that you used a picture of one of my coins for your post. The 1935 is amazing in hand. PCGS actually used it on Facebook. |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,083 |
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Posted 11/22/2023 8:08 pm
