Canada has a long and proud history of paying tribute to our important historical events by immortalizing them on our coins. Unlike the U.S.A., we do not put heads of state on our coins, but instead other national symbols.
Canadians are obviously familiar with these symbols, and the meaning and history behind them. But to those living outside of Canada, they may find it fascinating, ridiculous and peculiar to see maple leaves, a Bluenose schooner, beaver, caribou, the Canadian Coat Of Arms, loons, and polar bears on our regularly circulated coins. If you are curious about the history behind Canada's coins, you can read a little bit about each on the Royal Canadian Mint's website.
Aside from our regularly circulated coins, the Royal Canadian Mint also mints coins to commemorate other events, such as the Olympics, which are made available in regular circulation and/or as collector's items.
Now the Royal Canadian Mint has commemorated another piece of important Canadian history with the minting of a quarter that has a glow-in-the-dark dinosaur on it.
Yes, you read that correctly. GLOW-IN-THE-DARK COINS! WITH A FRAKKING DINOSAUR!
The first dinosaur to be commemorated in this new series of four coins is the Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai. This dinosaur is named after the Alberta science teacher, Al Lakusta, who discovered a rib fragment from the dinosaur while out hiking with a friend. When the area was finally excavated 13 years later, paleontologists discovered 3500 bones and 14 skulls. This discovery has since been determined to be the richest horned dinosaur bed in the world. You can read more about Al Lakusta and the Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Initiative, to be completed by the end of 2012, here.
The Royal Canadian Mint is using photo-luminescent technology that won't wear off to create these coins. After "charging" the coin in sunlight, fluorescent, or incandescent light for 30-60 seconds and placing it in the dark, the glowing dinosaur skeleton will be revealed. The minting is limited to 25,000 coins worldwide.
William Shatner. A town named Vulcan. Glow-in-the-dark dinosaur coins. Just three reasons why Canada is awesome!
These commemorative coins cost $29.95 CAD and are available at Canada Post outlets and through the Royal Canadian Mint's website.
