Today’s random collection of silver comes to you from the 49th US State, Alaska.
Yukon Cornelius - the man, the myth, the OG Stacker. (Seemed appropriate to throw this guy into a post about Alaskan loot. Also, my hubs bought these two for me over the weekend. So cool. ☺️)
Late last week I wandered into my LCS looking to find something unusual. In the odds and ends bin there were all of these Alaskan silver rounds. It appeared someone had just dumped their entire Alaska Mint collection. Trading it for cash? Upgrading to gold? We will never know...
I purchased four of the many on display (I wish I had picked up a few more). I really like the detail in the artwork on these rounds. I also like how the fronts and backs don’t seem to go together at all. It’s like I picked up eight pieces of silver verses just four. 😄
Alaska Aviation 1995 Medallion
This 1oz .999 silver round features the seal of the state of Alaska on one side with a picture of a Cessna 185 floatplane on the other. Online I discovered hat the Alaska Aviation medallion was produced from at least 1992-2001. I also discovered that at least some of these medallions were sold with a matching limited edition print by Alaska artist Jacquie Cote’ Suter. 950 signed and number prints were sold with the accompanying medallion.
The next two medallions were designed in honor of The White Pass and Yukon Route. The White Pass and Yukon Route is a narrow gauge rail line between Skagway, Alaska, USA and White Pass, Yukon, Canada.
In 1896, gold flakes were found in a place called Bonanza Creek. This discovery marked the start of the Klondike Gold Rush. Thousands of prospectors came to the area to make the overland trek to the Klondike. There were two routes available for this trek, Chilkoot Pass and White Pass. Both routes were treacherous and only accessible by foot. Two entrepreneurs, Sir Thomas Tancrede and Michael J. Heney, met by chance and partnered to build The White Pass and Yukon Route rail line. It was completed in 1900 and granted prospectors easier access to the Alaskan gold fields.
The White Pass and Yukon Route 1991
This medallion is a product of the Anchorage Mint. One side features and incredibly detailed photo of a train crossing a trestle. The other side is engraved with an aerial view of Skagway, Alaska.
The White Pass and Yukon Route 1992
Another sweet engine is featured on the 1992 medallion. One side shows the engine traveling down some tracks. The other side shows a newer train and proceeding along a different trestle.
Alaska Railroad 75th Anniversary
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Alaska Railroad the Anchorage Mint produced this medallion, which sports both classic and modern engines.
