Lost Then Found: Champlain and the Astrolabe - 5 oz. Pure Silver Coin (2021)

The tale of the 17th century mariner's astrolabe found near Cobden, Ontario, is the inspiration for this 5 oz. pure silver coin. Its reverse features a small-scale reproduction of the lost-then-found astrolabe, cast in silver and bronze plated fixed atop Samuel de Champlain's map of New France (1632). The astrolabe's graduated scale encircles the map, which has been re-created using a mix of traditional and laser engraving that gets all the details right. The end result is a design that perfectly channels the spirit of the era in which the astrolabe was made, used… and lost!

• THE COBDEN ASTROLABE! Discover the fascinating tale of the 17th century mariner's astrolabe found near Cobden, Ontario, and popularly associated with French explorer-cartographer Samuel de Champlain.
• CAST IN SILVER! Cast in silver and bronze-plated, a reproduction of a mariner's astrolabe tops the reverse of your 5 oz. 99.99% pure silver coin.
• TWO TREASURES IN ONE DESIGN! An engraved rendering of Samuel de Champlain's hand-drawn map of New France backs our mariner's astrolabe — it's a nod to the story of the astrolabe, but also to the era it represents.
• A MIX OF TECHNIQUES! The astrolabe's graduated scale is engraved near the rim in great detail. The map's elements were reproduced using a mix of traditional and laser engraving techniques to ensure all the finer details stand out.
• THE ART OF CARTOGRAPHY! The vintage map perfectly channels the spirit of early European exploration in Canada. It's a striking effect, and it makes this a must-have piece for history and cartography enthusiasts.
• LOW MINTAGE! This coin has a limited mintage of 1,000 worldwide.
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE! The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.
• NO GST/HST

Design

The reverse design features a reproduction of the 17th century mariner's astrolabe found near Cobden, Ontario, and popularly associated with French explorer-cartographer Samuel de Champlain. Used to determine latitude, the navigational tool-turned-treasure is cast in silver and bronze plated on this coin; it is backed by an engraved reproduction of Champlain's hand-drawn map of New France (1632), which is framed by the astrolabe's graduated scale. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Packaging 

Your coin is individually encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

Order yours today!