Archeologists discovered a 340-year-old coin from China...

Archeologists discovered a 340-year-old coin from China near the proposed site of a Yukon gold mine, which may give more information about the 17th-century trade links between China, Russia, and First Nations in Canada. Chinese characters indicate the coin was minted in Zhili province between 1667 and 1671 during the Qing Dynasty. A dig near Western Copper and Gold Corp.’s proposed Casino mine site about 300 kilometres northwest of Whitehorse was the site of the discovery. It is the third historic Chinese coin ever found in Yukon. “The coin adds to the body of evidence that the Chinese market connected with Yukon First Nations through Russian and coastal Tlingit trade intermediaries during the late 17th and 18th centuries, and perhaps as early as the 15th century,” a statement reads. Paul West-Sells, president of Western Copper and Gold, said “it’s satisfying that the work we’re doing to support development of the Casino project is also contributing to the understanding of Yukon’s heritage.”