Collectibles

Item Description

This $20 coin is 99.99% pure silver, with a diameter of 38 millimeters and a nominal metal weight of 31.39 grams.

In real life, multi-coloured light pillars appear in the sky when low-level ice crystals reflect the light from below. On this selectively coloured coin, the atmospheric optical illusion stays hidden in the night sky until the invisible black light technology is activated by UV light.

This last Sky Wonder coin is an icy illusion!

Special features:

THIRD COIN! Light Pillars is the third and final coin in the Canada's Sky Wonders series, the naturally occurring optical illusions that are a rare occurrence in the sky.

A TECHNOLOGICAL WONDER! The colourful light pillars get a luminous boost from invisible black light technology—in fact, they only appear under UV light.

SELECTIVE COLOUR! The partial use of colour keeps the focus on the phenomenon, while the urban landscape is brought to life by fine engraving.

LOOK DOWN, NOT UP! The design makes you feel like you are outside looking up at the sky, but the experience is sized to fit in the palm of your hand.

DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY EVERY TIME! Each coin in this series features a different lighting effect.

INCLUDES A BLACK LIGHT FLASHLIGHT! The artistry of your coin can be appreciated in any light, but viewing it under a black light (included) activates the special technology!

LOW MINTAGE! Limited to 5,000 coins worldwide.

1 OZ. 99.99% PURE SILVER! The coin is crafted from one ounce of 99.99% pure silver.

Design:

The reverse design by Tony Bianco features a nighttime scene on an extremely cold winter night in Canada. Above the engraved city streets, the clear night sky is coloured and enhanced with invisible black light technology, which re-creates the light pillar optical phenomenon when activated by ultraviolet light. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

"This phenomenon is unique in that it is most often seen near man-made lighting, and only under certain atmospheric conditions. I wanted to present it in a way that connects it to our daily urban lives—like an evening trip downtown, where we're surprised with an uncommon sight in a common place." Tony Bianco, Artist

Did you know…

Light pillars may look like they're just an extension of a light source, but they're not physically above it. That vertical line is just how our eyes interpret the collective beams of millions of ice crystals, which are located roughly halfway between you and the light source.

The setting sun and the moon can also cause solar or moon pillars. But our illuminated towns and cities are the most common source of light in Canada for this atmospheric optical illusion.

This atmospheric optical illusion typically occurs in the world's polar regions—including the Great White North—but light pillars can also occur further south when an Arctic cold mass moves in, bringing with it bitter-cold temperatures.

Packaging:

The coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

For more information about this limited edition coin, visit: http://bit.do/SkyWondersLightPillarsCoin

Item Special Note

Donated By: Royal Canadian Mint (https://www.mint.ca/store/template/home.jsp)

Photo Credits: Royal Canadian Mint (https://www.mint.ca/store/template/home.jsp)