In the early 18th century, much of this country's vast land remained relatively uncharted. Few settlers could anticipate the enormity of the terrain that lay to the west, beyond Lake Superior, in a time when stories of a "great western sea" stirred the imagination of those seeking a shorter route to the trading riches of the Far East. Inspired by First Nations accounts of a western waterway, French-Canadian soldier and fur trader Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye (1685-1749) set out to discover this mythical body of water. His journey would open up the land and waterways of present-day Manitoba, bringing La Vérendrye and his men farther into the Canadian West than any previous explorer of European descent.

From 1731 to 1743, La Vérendrye's expedition brought theera of exploration beyond the Great Lakes, reachingall the way to the eastern edges of the Rocky Mountains. Largely unheralded in his time, La Vérendrye has since become a historical figure whose perseverance and sense of adventure embodies the very spirit of the voyageur experience that shaped the history of Canada.

Own an original work of art depicting one of Canada's most renowned and compelling historical figures.Order today!

• 50 PERCENT REDUCTION IN MINTAGE! This year's mintage is only 1,000—a 50% lower mintage from the previous year!
• Beautifully crafted in 99.99% pure gold!
• Fifth coin in the continuing Great Canadian Explorers series, which commemorates the more than 400 years of exploration that have shaped the history of Canada as we knowit today.
• HISTORICAL ACCURATE! Impeccably engraved with great attention paid to historical accuracy and details—the result is a powerful portrait of French-Canadian explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye on his journey into the Canadian West.
• MULTIPLE FINISHES AND TEXTURES enhance the details that provide a more natural look and feel to La Vérendrye, the First Nations guide, and the outdoor setting as the expedition prepares to press westward on their continuing journey.
• HIGHLIGHTS THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE IN CANADA and throughout itshistory and the role that First Nations guides played in La Vérendrye's exploration of present-dayManitoba.
• Your coin is GST/HST exempt.

Designed by Canadian artist Glen Green, your coin features a full-length portrait of the famous French-Canadian explorer and fur trader, Pierre Gaultier De Varennes et De La Vérendrye. The explorer is depicted ina campaign uniform, complete with a trimmed tricornhat made of beaver fur, a sword beneath his capote and a military officer's distinctive gorget at his neck. Moving along the rocky shores of Lakes of the Woods with a compass in hand, La Vérendrye uses the butt of his musket to steady an occasional step while his attention remains fixed on the horizon, insearch of the fabled "great western sea." Just a few steps to his left, a First Nations guide—one of the many whose advice and assistancewas essential to the expedition—holds a hunting bowas he advises La Vérendrye, while a member of this expedition stands next to a canoe on the shore. In the background looms the outline of Fort St. Charles;built by the expedition in 1732, this key trading post is made visible by its palisades, with two of its four bastions standing out among the surrounding forest. Meticulous engraving enhances this historicalsnapshot, adding intricate details and textures to the period clothing in a manner that transforms thisdepiction into a fitting tribute to a historical figure and a striking collectible piece of art.

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

Order your coin today!