Fort Simpson (Aug 22/03) - What more appropriate way to salute 200 years of commerce than with a coin? The Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce has had two versions of a bicentennial coin minted.

One is a ounce of silver, the other, available exclusively to Chamber members, is silver with gold plating.

Both coins have the old steamship SS Distributor on one side and an image of the Hudson's Bay compound, circa 1930, on the other. Each played a key role in the development of the community. One side reads, "1803 Fort of the Forks -- 2003 Fort Simpson." On the flip side is printed, "Celebrating 200 years of commerce."

"Two hundred years is quite a significant milestone," said Kirby Groat, vice-president of the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce.

Andrew Gaule, the chamber's president, said there has already been substantial demand for the collector's items.

"Everyone who has seen them so far has been oohing and awing over them," said Gaule, adding that the first batch of 75 gold-plated coins sold off within four days. Another bunch will be ordered but there will only be a maximum of 200 overall.

The silver coins, on the other hand, will continue to be made available as long as there is demand, Gaule noted. They are available through several retail outlets in the community.

Gaule said a member of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, who was passing through Simpson, admired the coins and pleaded for a $75 gold-plated version, which is limited to Fort Simpson Chamber members. The man settled for a $60 silver coin and, according to Gaule, he said he would encourage the Fort Smith Chamber to consider having its own coin minted.

The Fort Simpson coins were produced in Auburn, Washington at the Northwest Territorial Mint, a coincidence that Groat acknowledged with a smile.

Groat also had key chain replicas of the coins produced. He's selling them through his hardware store.