This 2014 $15 fine silver coin is the fifth coin in an exciting series by the Royal Canadian Mint, which highlights significant milestones and eras in Canadian exploration throughout history. It aims to capture the joy of adventure and discovery, esteeming the bold explorers whose thirst for the unknown have helped to shape Canadian identity. This coin is struck in two-thirds of an ounce of 99.99% fine silver, and is limited to a mintage of 15,000 pieces worldwide. As a pure silver coin, this item is GST/HST-exempt.

The Design:

This coin boasts an illustration by John Mantha that beautifully depicts Canada's rugged western coastline being surveyed by cartographers as they map and chart the countless bays and inlets that continue to inspire awe to this day. One can only imagine the sense of elation these explorers felt when looking out at the dramatic landscape of the West Coast. The illustration features the word "CANADA" and the year "2014" emblazoned across the top of the rim, and the face value of "15 DOLLARS" across the bottom. It boasts a wide diameter of over 36mm.

The West Coast Exploration:

In June of 1792, Captain George Vancouver took two small boats on an 11 day, 300-mile hydrographic survey of the southwest coast of British Columbia, accompanied by a small crew. This was the second European expedition to the area, as Spanish explorer Jose Maria Narvaez was the first to enter the Strait of Georgia only a year earlier. On this expedition, enough data was generated to create the first detailed chart of the area, which was published in 1798. The city of Vancouver was named after the captain in 1886. His complete survey of the West Coast, from California to Alaska, conducted over the summers between 1792 and 1794, is often regarded as one of the greatest feats of maritime exploratory history. The charts created by Captain Vancouver were renowned for their detail and accuracy, and were used by mariners well into the 19th century.