1978 Klondike $1, Edmonton Alberta CA

This trade dollar was made for the annual Klondike Days festival in Edmonton, Alberta. “Klondike Dollars” were struck every year for some decades, with the festival mascot “Klondike Mike” on the reverse and a different obverse design every year. They would be worth $1 for the duration of the festival, but they are now all expired.

This commemorative issue of McDougall, Secord, and the XI Commonwealth Games in Edmonton features the heads of John A. McDougall and Richard Secord, above the Empire Building that they founded to outfit fortune-seekers travelling North, surrounded by the legend ‘EDMONTON’S GREAT PIONEERS’ and ‘McDOUGALL – SECORD’.

On the reverse, Klondike Mike facing with shovel and bag of gold surrounded by legends, with the logo of the XI Commonwealth Games (hosted by Edmonton) at left with the lettering ‘KLONDIKE MIKE SALUTES’ above and ‘XI COMMONWEALTH GAMES’ below.

In the middle, the lettering ‘ALBERTA’ and ‘CANADA’ with ‘GOOD FOR $1 IN EDMONTON EXPIRES AUGUST 15, 1978’ beneath with year repeated.