Composition: 91.67% gold, 8.33% argent, 24K
Mintage: 8 047

Transcontinental Landscapes -
Part of Canada's Cultural Heritage

Serving as both a geographic and symbolic link between the diverse parts of our vast country, thetranscontinental railway has played a central role in Canada's history. The railway industry has also exemplified Canadian engineering accomplishments and has brought travellers to parts of our country that would otherwise have been inaccessible. It has allowed people from all over the world to see and appreciate the beauty of our nationwide landscapes.

Designed by Canadian artist Suzanne Duranceau the reverse of the coin depicts a Canadian Pacific Railway train travelling through a mountain vista in winter. The grandeur of the Selkirk mountains combined with the romance of snow-laden trees are all part of Canada'scultural landscape. Powered by a Selkirk locomotive, the largest and most powerful of Canadian Pacific's steam locomotive fleet, the train is crossing the Stoney Creek bridge in British Columbia. This steel arch bridge was the third constructed over the deep gorge of Stoney Creek. The first was a spectacular wooden structure built in 1885. It was replaced by steel arch structure in 1894, which was reinforced in 1929to accommodate heavier traffic and equipment.

This railway scene depicts the glory days of passenger train travel from 1920s to the 1950s.

Constructed across rugged and difficult terrain, such bridges symbolized Canada's triumph over obstacles and challenges. The obverse features an effigy by Dora de Pédery-Hunt of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

200 DOLLARS - TRANSCONTINENTAL LANDSCAPE - 1996 CANADIAN COINS is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 06- 22-KARAT GOLD and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.