• Country:Canada
• Collection:Gold Commemorative $200
• Metal:Gold
• Year:2011
• Denomination:$200
• Finish:Complete
• Weight (oz):0.471
• Purity:0.917
• Mintage:1392
• Product type:Coin

Handcrafted artistry combined with the latest minting technology has produced a coin with ultra-crisp definition and relief that is distinguished even more by its unique laser effect. It is struck in 22-karat gold and, with a new reduced mintage, is a co
Leading-edge laser technology creates a stunningblack lasered effect for the 7th and final issue inthis series.
For hundreds of years, sailing ships ruled the seas,a golden era that ended with the arrival of steamin the 19th century.

This exciting new technology reached Canada'snorthwest coast in 1836 in the form of theSS Beaver, a stout, 31 m (101 ft) vessel built inEngland for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC).She was considered to be on the cutting edge,a rare sail-and-steam hybrid that generated a lotof attention.

The Beaver sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, aroundCape Horn and up the coast to one of HBC's furtradingposts where her 4 m (13 ft) steam-poweredpaddle wheels were installed.

After 27 years as a supply ship, the Beaver begancharting the coast for the Royal Navy. She alsoserved as a freighter and towboat. Her illustriouscareer came to an abrupt end in 1888 when she ranaground in Vancouver Harbour.

Highlights:
Handcrafted artistry combined with the latest minting technology hasproduced a coin with ultra-crisp definition and relief that is distinguishedeven more by its unique laser effect. It is struck in 22-karat gold and,with a new reduced mintage, is a collector's must-have.

Coin design:
The Beaver as she would have appeared in 1836, prior to the manyretrofits that marked her career. In the foreground, two workers awaither arrival on a supply-laden quay.