This is the only set available that features both the commemorative silver dollar and the aureate dollar depicting the common loon. The elegant book-style packaging, with remouvable lens, spendidly complementsthese fine coins. The 1999 sterling silver proof dollar commemorates the 225th anniversary of the voyage of Juan Perez and the sighting of the Queen Charlotte Islands. In 1774, Spanish explorer Juan Perez sailed north from Monterey, California on board the Santiago. His orders were to claim as much land as possible on the nortern coast of North America for Spain and to report on the Russian presence. The Perez voyagewas the first documented expedition to go so far north on behalf of Spain. During the journey, Perez sighted a wedge-shaped group of islands that we now know as the Queen charlotte Islands, called Haida Gwaiiby the original inhabitants. Though bad weather prevented the Spaniards from landing, they did trade with the Haida who came out to meet them incanoes. The reverse of the coin, designed by the artist David Craig, portrays Haida canoes approaching the Santiago, a 225-ton frigatelarge enough to carry a crew of 86 officers and men. The obverse features the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II Dora de Pedery-Hunt.

PROOF SETS - 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS - 1999 CANADIAN COINS 29 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / PROOF SETS and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.