Collectively, the Great Lakes are the largest freshwater system in the world and one of the most recognizable features of the Canadian landscape. Four Great Lakes are located along the border between Canada and the United States while the fifth, Lake Michigan, lies completely within the U.S. The Great Lakes Region is home to approximately 8.5 million Canadians, with many more visiting on an annual basis. A new Canadian silver dollar pays tribute to the region with an authentically recreated and accurately scaled map created by a real cartographer.
What Is Special About the Great Lakes and Surrounding Region?
The Great Lakes are amongst the largest in the world, and each has something distinctive that makes it unique. Containing more water than the other four combined, Lake Superior is the largest and deepest of the Great Lakes and the second-largest lake in the world. Lake Erie is the warmest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario is the smallest, and Lake Huron has the longest shoreline of the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes affect the climate of the region. Seasonal temperatures are moderate due to “lake effect” weather patterns. As a result, vineyards and orchards in the Great Lakes region can thrive even at a more northerly latitude. The hydroelectric potential has made the Great Lakes a centre of industry, and the Great Lakes Waterway is an important corridor for North American transportation. Tourism is also popular in the Great Lakes Region, with Niagara Falls being one of the most famous attractions. The region also offers opportunities to visit both urban centres, such as Toronto, and natural areas to participate in outdoor activities
Because the Great Lakes are shared between Canada and the United States, the management of the region is shared between the two countries. The premiers of Ontario and Quebec, as well as the governors of eight U.S. states, have organized in the interest of the region’s environmental protection and economic development.
What Is Special About the Great Lakes Tribute Coin?
With a face value of $50, the coin is made out of 157.6 grams of 99.99% pure silver. However, what really makes this piece unique is the image on the reverse. Charles Brackley is a cartographer with Canadian Geographic. He created a meticulously accurate map of the Great Lakes Region to an astonishingly small scale of 1:22,000,000 for the back of the coin.
The brilliant, mirror-like finish of the coin gives the lakes themselves a luminous appearance. The names of the five lakes are frosted elements, while the topography of the region is engraved onto the surface. However, the most noticeable elements are the different colours representing the various landforms and features of the region:
- Red lines represent roads
- Pink represents urban areas
- Yellow represents farmland
- Blue-green represents wetlands
In addition, the various types of forests in the region are represented by three different shades of green.
Like other maps, the coin also includes features that help you read it, such as a compass rose to indicate direction and a bar scale. The lines of longitude and latitude are included and even continue onto the obverse of the coin, appearing in the background behind Her Majesty’s portrait.
Who Would Be Interested in This Canadian Silver Dollar?
The Great Lakes tribute coin would appeal to a wide range of Canadians for a number of reasons. People who like to collect unusual coins would be excited to receive the first coin from the RCM to feature an authentic, accurately scaled map. Cartography enthusiasts would marvel at the incredibly small scale. People who live in the Great Lakes Region, grew up there, or visit there frequently would appreciate the reminders of all the happy times they’ve spent there. Whatever your reason for purchasing the Great Lakes tribute coin, you can find it at Colonial Acres Coins amongst the most recently released products.