Composition : 99,99% silver
Mintage : 14,006

Toronto Island Lighthouse $20 Silver Coin

Canada has always relied heavily on its waterways for transportation. Two hundred years ago, the port of York (now Toronto, Ontario) was a hub of activity, but its peninsula (now Toronto Island) represented a significant hazard for mariners.

In 1808, a lighthouse was built on the peninsula at Gibraltar Point.Designed to withstand the winds of Lake Ontario, it is hexagon-shaped and packed with stone at its base. Its walls are 1.8 m (5.9 ft) thick and gradually decrease to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) at the top. Originally 16 m (52.5 ft) tall with a lantern, renovations have increased its overall height to 25 m (82 ft). In 1878, a powerful, revolving light made Gibraltar one of the best lighthouses in North America.

This was achieved by attaching a cable with a heavy weight to the lantern?s drive shaft. The cable was wrapped around a drum and as the weight caused the cable to unwind, the drive shaft turned; a full revolution every 108 seconds - quite a feat for pre-electricity days!

In addition to innovation, the mysterious death of Gibraltar?s first keeper in 1815 also built Gibraltar?s fame. After some 200 years of faithful service, the lighthouse of Toronto Island stands as the oldest existing lighthouse of the Great Lakes.This coin is the second issue of theLighthouse collection.
The first coin of the series, released in 2004, depicts the Sambroisland lighthouse.
The second coin of the series, released in 2005, depicts the Toronto island lighthouse.

CANADIAN LIGHTHOUSES - TORONTO ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE - 2005 CANADIAN COINS 02 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 13- CANADIAN HISTORY and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.