Geo-caching IN the Arch

The Ottawa Chinatown Royal Arch will have nine roofs, symbolizing eternal life. Under the roof tiles of the highest arch, cemented into the structure, some treasures will be secreted.

Shown above are the monetary treasures. The coin at the centre top is a current coin with the symbols of the zodiac around the perimeter. (Double click on the picture to enlarge it).

The coin at the top right is a coin made of real gold. While its face value is 10 yuan ($1.50 Cdn) it doesn't circulate as its gold value is much higher than its face value.

Each of the coins is made of a different metal. In addition to the gold coin, there are iron, copper, and tin coins. The two bottom right coins are from Ching Dynasty, about 200 years old.

The coin at the bottom left is from the Tang Dynasty,  and is about 1000 years old.

The picture below shows the coins with the small skeins of wool that will be burried into the cement with the coins. They represent each colour.

Until the ceremonial installation of the coins in the cement, they reside in a Ottawa safety-deposit box.