They're the tales that give you goose bumps andget your heart racing! Canadians love a good ghoststory, and there are plenty to be found across Canada. Many of these hair-raising stories are based onreal-life stories and people—people like Patrick Whelan, who was hanged for the 1868 assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, a Father of Confederation. Some claim to have seen his ghost appear in his old jail cell at the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, said to be one of the most haunted buildings in Canada. The former prison turned hostel is the setting for a fun ghost story that unfolds on this lenticular piece.Its first image sets the mood with an eerie evening tour of the former prison… but tilt the coin and suddenly, you'll encounter a ghost too! The two-image lenticular design by Emmanuel Julian Madail Monzon shows a ghostly encounter in one of Canada's most haunted buildings. The first image shows a visitor entering a former jail during an evening tour of the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, where the bar door is left ajar. When the coin is tilted, the door is closed and the eerie ghost of a former inmate—perhaps Patrick Whelan, who was hanged for the 1868 assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, aFather of Confederation—appears behind the terrified visitor and looks directly at the viewer. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Ottawa's former jail was built in 1862. Its 90 cells housed up to 150 prisoners at a time—men, women and children.It is said that the ghost of Patrick Whelan appears near guests' beds or in his cell at night. Some claim to have seen him wander the hallway that leads to the gallows, all the while reciting the Lord's Prayer—just as Whelan did in his final moments.Just before his execution, Whelan declared he was innocent but also claimed to know the identity of the killer.Today, the presumed murder weapon, a .32-calibre Smith & Wesson revolver, is part of the Canadian Museum of History collection. It was purchased at an auction in 2005 for the sum of $105,000.After the prison closed its doors in 1972, Hostelling International converted the building into a hostel. Much of the original structures (including the gallows) were left intact to provide guests with aunique stay. Daily tours allow visitors and gueststo learn about the building's history and itsmany strange occurrences… like the paranormal activity depicted on this coin.
· Packaging:Your coin is packaged in a custom folder thatinvites you to enter the old jail… if you dare.
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