This 2008 small pure gold coin salutes Canada's rugged and legendary Beaver bush plane. The de Havilland Canada Beaver was introduced shortly after World War II to fly in extreme northern climates. With an all-metal construction, high-lift wing and flap configuration, it was capable of short takeoffs and landings, even with heavy loads. The coin has a weight of 1.27 grams (one 25th ounce) of .9999 fine gold. Mintage is limited to 20,000. HST/GST exempt.
Besides flying passengers and cargo, the Beaver was also used for dusting crops and providing training, courier and ambulance services for the military. During Sir Edmund Hillary's expedition to the South Pole, only a Beaver was reliable enough to provide essential support in such extreme conditions.
In just two short decades almost 1,700 Beavers were built, making it the most produced Canadian-designed aircraft ever. To this day, many of these legendary planes can still be seen in remote skies around the world.