Composition : 92,5% silver, 7,5% copper
Mintage : 8,352

Passage to understanding

Hundreds of years ago, the Arctic was viewed as the gateway to the world. Today, it is viewed as the keyto understanding it.

The first polar explorers, the Inuit, hadbeen comfortable living in the Arctic for thousands of years, but forthe Europeans, it was a harsh and mysterious place - and the need to study this unknown land became abundantly clear as Sir Martin Frobisher searched for the Northwest Passage in 1576. The arrival of the firstEnglishman there was likely to fuel notions of empire-building back home. Arctic settlement seemed inevitable and with that inmind, Frobisher constructed a house of lime and stone so the Arctic's effects on its structure could be observed.

Other explorers followed. Knowledge grew.

In 1872, a failed expedition to discover the Northeast Passage prompted an appeal for permanent research stations in the polar regions, supported by claims that, "Arctic research is extremely significant for the understanding of the laws of nature.*»

Ten years later, growing consensus among scientists prompted the launch of 15 coordinated expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic - the first International Polar Year. In 1932 another took place with the number of collaborating nations rising from 12 to 67. A third International PolarYear was held in 1957, setting the date for the fourth - 2007.

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Today, Frobisher's spirit of exploration endures among modern researchers, bolstered by ever-evolving technology that promisesto deliver an even greater understanding. The historic search for theNorthwest Passage did indeed reveal that all parts of the globe are connected, but as the next Polar Year will continue to show, that connection reaches far beyond the scope of a trans-Arctic trading route.

The Royal Canadian Mint also released a coin to celebrate the International polaryear with a plasma reverse. This state-of-the art plasma technology created the unique colour intensity and metallic hue which was alsoreleased in 2007.

*Source : Fundamental Principles of Arctic Research (Carl Weyprecht, 1872)

INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR - 2007 CANADIAN COINS is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 01- STERLING SILVER and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.