Canada has released a surprise coin

The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a new $50 coin, a dream for all collectors. It depicts one of Quebec's unique landmarks, the lunar landscape of the Ungava Peninsula in Nunavik. A geologic wonder, the Pingualuit Crater Lake was formed when a meteorite struck Earth some 1.4 million years ago. If you illuminate the coin with "black light" (long-wave ultraviolet), you can see an image of the meteorite itself.

The reverse of the coin was designed by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin. Above a blue perfectly round lake and its surroundings, the moon, shooting stars and the Milky Way are depicted. These elements glow when observed in black light, which gives a hidden second image: a view of a meteorite just before it hits the Earth above the site of its eventual impact.

"It was an incredible amount of fun designing this coin and telling the story of pre and post impact of the Pingauluit Crater. I hope this coin will have a similar impact!" — Hamelin shared his emotions.

The obverse of the coin is adorned with an image of Queen Elizabeth II by Suzanne Blunt.

Only 2,500 of these coins have been produced, and you can buy such a beauty for your collection on the website of the Royal Canadian Mint for CA$ 649.95. The buyer, along with the coin, will receive a certificate confirming its authenticity. In addition, the set also comes with a flashlight that gives the very "black light" needed to see the secret image.

Pingualuit Crater Lake was the first meteorite crater discovered in Canada. Meteorites often fall at an angle, but this one fell almost vertically, resulting in a nearly perfect circle 3.4 kilometers in diameter imprinted on the earth's surface. After the ice melted in this area, water filled the crater, forming a lake 267 meters deep. Due to the absence of tributaries and outlets, the lake is filled with the purest fresh water.

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