Written by Valerina Ramjewan – Sales Consultant
The Klondike Goldrush was a migration by an estimated 100,000 prospects to the Klondike region of Yukon, in North Western Canada between 1896 and 1899. On August 16th, an American prospector and two Tagish men were travelling south of the Klondike River. Following a suggestion from a Canadian prospector, they began looking for gold on Bonanza Creek, one of the Klondike's tributaries. It is not clear who discovered the gold, but the group agreed to let George Carmack appear as the official discoverer because they feared that authorities would not recognise an Indigenous claimant.
There was a great recession in the US and many people found it easier to risk everything they had to get a better life. The value of gold was extremely high in comparison to paper money and people had low faith and trust in banks. The journey to Klondike was travelled by people of nearly all age groups, professions, and occupations.
The authority understood how difficult it would be for the miners to get an extra food supply once they reached the Klondike Gold Mines. So it was made a requirement that each traveller had to pack food that could feed them for a whole year. Some found this impossible because it required between 20 to 30 trips to manage this quantity of food. Of the 100,00 that set out to Klondike, only 30,000 managed to reach the goldmine. Of these 30,000, only 4000 became rich by digging gold. Many people also got rich by setting up businesses to support the miners. Some also just got employed as labourers in other people’s gold mines.
The weather conditions in the Klondike were extremely cold. Some rivers ended up freezing. The temperatures went as far down as -500F. Many travellers who were ill-prepared for such conditions succumbed after developing cold-related health conditions.
The gold rush shows how far humans can go when determined for a course. The fact that many people and animals died along the way shows how the journey was tough, yet up to 300,000 people still managed to reach their destination without giving up.
1oz Pure Gold Coin 125thAnniversary
The 125th anniversary of the Klondike Gold Rush is being marked on a commemorative circulation coin, whose design has been masterfully executed on this 1 oz. 99.99% pure gold coin. Meticulously sculpted to make a lasting impression, its reverse depicts the 1896 discovery that triggered an influx of gold rushers to the Klondike region, forever changing the land, its people and their traditional ways of living, in a manner that continues to be felt today.
An unforgettable work of art, your coin is meticulously crafted from one ounce of 99.99% pure gold and features a high-shine proof finish that accentuates every engraved detail on the coin’s reverse.
Designed by Canadian artist Jori van der Linde, the coin’s reverse features the artist’s rendition of the gold discovery that set off the Klondike Gold Rush. Under the shining sun, Keish (“Skookum” Jim Mason), Shaaw Tlàa (Kate Carmack), Kàa Goox (Dawson Charlie), all of whom were of Lingít and Tagish descent, and George Carmack can be seen panning for gold at the edge of Gàh Dek (Rabbit Creek/ Bonanza Creek). A powerful symbol of cultural revitalisation, the pictorial symbol for Ëdhä Dädhëch appears on the opposite side of the creek and represents the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and their deep, abiding connection to the land. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Only 450 have been minted which makes it even more special.
A beautiful depiction: Designed by Canadian artist Jori van der Linde, the $1 coin’s reverse features the artist’s rendition of the gold discovery that set off the Klondike Gold Rush.