In the tens of millions, they wandered along ancient feeding routes so well worn that they are still visible from the air today. Many of these routes, particularly in the United States, were eventually used as wagon trails and, later, for railway beds. By the end of the nineteenth century, though, over-hunting and large-scale exterminations by European settlers had reduced buffalo numbers from more than 60 million to only a few hundred. Concerted conservation efforts throughout the twentieth century helped to bring the numbers of wild bison up in both Canada and the United States. In total, there are estimated to be about 30,000 non-domesticated buffalo in Canada and the United States today and several hundred thousand raised on ranches.

Special Features

• Masterfully crafted by Royal Canadian Mint engravers using a variety of engraving techniques and finishes to bring depth and texture to this stunning image of Canadian wildlife.
• Precisely machined radial lines to within microns create a unique line width and pitch that gives this coin a characteristic look, and creates a light diffracting pattern specific to this coin.
• No fixed mintage.