Canadian Totem Pole Dollar

astrorat

Does anybody know of a site that tells the "story" of the 1958 Canadian Totem Pole dollar? Thanks much!

Lane

ColinCMR

Not sure about any websites, but here's what I do know:

It commemorates the centenary of the Caribou gold rush and the establishment of British Columbia as a British crown colony.
The top of the totem pole is a raven design, which is believed to represent death in some indiginous cultures.
BC entered Confederation in 1871.

astrorat

Thanks. The way somebody was talking to me about the piece at a show, I thought there was some huge issue around its release and erroneous iconography.

Lane

Askari

Isn't it also called the "Death Dollar" because of that?

astrorat

Yes, I believe so, but I thought there was more of a story to it.

Lane

Luvdawgs

Here is what Charleton (the Canadian coin guide) says about the 1958 dollar :

British Columbia COmmemorative 1958. The reverse of the 1958 dollar commemorates the centenary of the Caribou gold rush and the
establishment of the British Columbia as a crown colony. The design shows a totem pole section with mountains in the background.
The top element in the totem is a raven, used by some Indians to symbolize death. As a result, it was rumoured that those Indians disliked the dollars, causing them to be called "death dollars." The obverse was the same as that on the 1954-1957 issues.

PuddlePirate

The symbology on coins is sometimes fascinating. The Aleuts and Talingits still carve them up here in alaska. Next time I go over to Afognak Island to pan for gold I'll try to remember to gets some pictures of the ones over there. Among the Aleut's Ravens are though to be "Spirit Messengers" and are associated with death and messages from beyond.