The Duncan Incident Coin – Canada’s Unexplained Phenomena Series – Royal Canadian Mint
Canada’s Unexplained Phenomena series, a collection of meticulously crafted coins from the Royal Canadian Mint, offers a numismatic journey through some of the most intriguing and mystifying UFO sightings in Canadian history. Each coin in this series serves as a tangible tribute to these unexplained events, blending artistry with history.
The 1 oz. Pure Silver Glow-in-the-Dark Coin, part of Canada’s Unexplained Phenomena series, commemorates The Duncan Incident. This unique collectible captures a mysterious UFO sighting on Canada’s West Coast that took place before dawn on January 1, 1970. A nurse in Duncan, B.C., observed a large, saucer-shaped craft with a glass-like dome top and two humanoid figures inside. This sighting is intricately depicted on the coin’s reverse side, featuring a color-over-engraved design that glows under a black light, emphasizing the UFO’s illuminated appearance as described by the nurse.
The coin is rectangular, measuring 49.80 mm by 28.60 mm, emphasizing the size of the UFO observed in the early morning sky. It has a plain edge, a face value of $20, and is finished in proof quality. This collectible is crafted from 99.99% pure silver, weighing 31.56 grams, and employs black light technology to enhance its glow-in-the-dark feature. The obverse showcases a wormhole-like pattern, aligning with the UFO theme, and includes the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. It also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.
Encapsulated in a black Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell, the coin is presented in a black beauty box, making it a striking addition to any collection. Each coin comes with a black light flashlight that activates the glow-in-the-dark technology on the coin’s reverse. In normal lighting, the color-over-engraved reverse presents the UFO, but under black light, the bright lights described by witnesses become more realistic.
This coin, designed by Patrick Bélanger, is the sixth in the series and is celebrated for its portrayal of the historical UFO sighting known as The Duncan Incident. Patrick Bélanger’s design, inspired by the 1970s, contrasts the drab hospital room with the bright lights outside the window, giving the coin a mysterious feel.
The coin is available for purchase at a price of $139.95 CAD. You can buy it directly from the Royal Canadian Mint’s website at this link: Royal Canadian Mint
Here’s a list of the coins in Canada’s Unexplained Phenomena series, issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, with each coin numbered in the order of their release:
- The Falcon Lake Incident (Coin released date 2018): As the first coin in the series, it commemorates the Falcon Lake Incident, a notable UFO encounter in 1967 near Falcon Lake, Manitoba. Although specific design details and specifications are not provided here, it likely features glow-in-the-dark elements and black light technology, consistent with the series’ theme.
- Shag Harbour UFO Incident (Coin released date 2019): The second coin in the series re-tells the 1967 UFO crash in Shag Harbour, N.S. It has a vertical design and includes a black light flashlight for viewing its glow-in-the-dark features. The coin is made of 99.99% pure silver, weighs 31.56 grams, and measures 49.8 mm x 28.6 mm, with a mintage of 4,000.
- The Clarenville Event (Coin released date 2020): This third coin features the 1978 Clarenville Incident in Newfoundland. It has a colourful retelling of the UFO event and includes a black light flashlight to activate its glow-in-the-dark features. The coin is made of 99.99% pure silver, weighs 31.56 grams, and has a mintage of 5,000.
- The Montreal Incident (Coin released date 2021): The fourth coin depicts the UFO sighting on November 7, 1990, at the Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal. It features a colourful, glow-in-the-dark design with black light paint technology and a Fresnel optical effect. The coin is 99.99% pure silver, weighs 31.56 grams, and measures 49.80 mm x 28.60 mm. It has a mintage of 5,000.
- The Yukon Encounter (Coin released date 2022): The fifth coin tells the story of a UFO encounter in Yukon on December 11, 1996, witnessed by at least 31 people. The coin, rectangular in shape, features a scene with the UFO and its bright lights, which are enhanced when the black light paint technology is activated. It is made of 99.99% pure silver and has similar specifications to The Montreal Incident coin.
Each coin in this series presents a unique artistic depiction of a well-known Canadian UFO sighting or incident, utilizing innovative design elements like glow-in-the-dark and black light technology to visually enhance the storytelling.
The Canada’s Unexplained Phenomena coin series from the Royal Canadian Mint is a remarkable assembly of numismatic art, each coin encapsulating a significant UFO sighting in Canadian history. From the eerie encounter at Falcon Lake to the mysterious lights above the Yukon skies, these coins do more than just commemorate events; they invite us to ponder the unexplained and mysterious aspects of our world.
