In real life, multi-colored light pillars appear in the sky when
low-level ice crystals reflect the light from below. On this selectively
colored coin, the atmospheric optical illusion stays hidden in the
night sky until the invisible black light technology is activated by
UV light.
The last Sky Wonder coin is an icy illusion!
Special features:
THIRD COIN! Light Pillars is the third and final coin in the
Canada's Sky Wonders series, the naturally occurring optical
illusions that are a rare occurrence in our skies. The previous
coins in the 3-coin series include:
Fire Rainbow
"Steve"
A TECHNOLOGICAL WONDER! The colorful light pillars
get a luminous boost from invisible black light technology—in
fact, they only appear under UV light.
SELECTIVE COLOR! The partial use of color keeps the
focus on the phenomenon, while the urban landscape is
brought to life by fine engraving.
LOOK DOWN, NOT UP! The design makes you feel like you
are outside looking up at the sky, but the experience is sized
to fit in the palm of your hand.
DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY EVERY TIME! Each coin in this
series features a different lighting effect.
INCLUDES A BLACK LIGHT FLASHLIGHT! The artistry of
the coin can be appreciated in any light, but viewing it under a
black light (included) activates the special technology!
LOW MINTAGE! Limited to 5,000 coins worldwide.
1 OZ. 99.99% PURE SILVER! The coin is crafted from one
ounce of 99.99% pure silver.
Design:
The reverse design by Tony Bianco features a nighttime scene on
an extremely cold winter night in Canada. Above the engraved city
streets, the clear night sky is coloured and enhanced with invisible
black light technology, which re-creates the light pillar optical
phenomenon when activated by ultraviolet light. The obverse
features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna
Blunt.
"This phenomenon is unique in that it is most often seen near
man-made lighting, and only under certain atmospheric
conditions. I wanted to present it in a way that connects it to our
daily urban lives—like an evening trip downtown, where we're
surprised with an uncommon sight in a common place."
Tony Bianco, Artist
Did you know…
Light pillars may look like they're just an extension of a light
source, but they're not physically above it. That vertical line
is just how our eyes interpret the collective beams of millions
of ice crystals, which are located roughly halfway between
you and the light source.
The setting sun and the moon can also cause solar or moon
pillars. But our illuminated towns and cities are the most
common source of light in Canada for this atmospheric optical
illusion.
This atmospheric optical illusion typically occurs in the world's
polar regions—including the Great White North—but light pillars
can also occur further south when an Arctic cold mass moves
in, bringing with it bitter-cold temperatures.