Last updated on September 4th, 2020 at 05:50 am
Last Updated on September 4, 2020 Posted by Colonial Acres Coins
The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) strikes commemorative coins periodically to celebrate important moments in Canada’s history. These Canadian commemorative coins have celebrated everything from the nation’s centennial to the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway to sports victories. In 2019, the RCM struck a coin celebrating Canadian maritime history.
Commemorating Canada’s Maritime History
Canada has a rich history with the sea. Whaling, trade, exploration and other maritime activities have helped define Canadian history. To help celebrate this, two artists working with the RCM designed a half-kilogram coin which is divided into four quadrants: Bluenose, Amazon, HMS Discovery and Marco Polo. Together, they represent 150 years of Canadian Maritime history.
These four quadrants are divided by a compass-like design that represents the all-encompassing nature of maritime history in Canada. On the obverse is an effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II designed by Susanna Blunt. It also features a “P” mark denoting the gold plating.
Bluenose
The northwest quadrant of the coin is named Bluenose. It features an engraving of a famed fishing and racing gaff rig schooner that was built in Nova Scotia in the 1920s. The Bluenose is a racing legend and the most famous Grand Banks fishing schooner in Canada. This ship also represented Canada during the 1933 World’s Fair and the 1935 Royal Silver Jubilee. She has been a fixture on the 10-cent coin since 1937.
Amazon
The ship best known as the Mary Celeste is featured in the northeast quadrant. However, prior to 1869, it was called the Amazon. This brigantine served Canada’s maritime shipping industry for six years before being sold to Americans after a wreck. Later, the ship (then named the Mary Celeste) was discovered adrift with no sign of its crew. This incident helped the ship gain notoriety as one of the world’s most famous ghost ships.
HMS Discovery
The coin’s southeast quadrant bears the image of the HMS Discovery. under the command of Captain George Vancouver, this ship made a four-year expedition in the Pacific. This journey of discovery, diplomacy and exploration reached and surveyed the Pacific coast of Canada. The important work performed by the crew of the HMS Discover left a legacy that is still felt today, and it helped set the stage for the development of Canada’s Pacific coastline.
Marco Polo
An engraving of Marco Polo fill the final southwest quadrant. This ship was built in New Brunswick in 1851 and, at the time, she was heralded as the fastest ship in the world. The Marco Polo played a significant role in transporting passengers to Australia for the gold rush in the mid-19th century. This passenger transit route helped the ship earn a reputation for speed after completing the round-trip voyage in just 5 months and 21 days, a serious feat at the time.
More About the Coin
This coin is available in a very limited run of only 500 coins. It has a face value of $125, but its collectible nature has made it far more valuable. It is made from pure silver with gold plating on the design. The coin has a massive 85-millimeter face that beautifully displays the eye-catching design.
This mintage is intended for collection and will likely become a favorite of collectors. The coin comes in a sleek black clamshell with a black beauty box.
Order Today
Colonial Acres Coins has the Tall Ships of Canada 2019 Silver Commemorative Coin and many other Canadian commemorative coins. Whether you are a serious collector looking for high-value coins or a hobbyist looking for fun and memorable coins, we have something for you. Explore our full range of Canadian coins and place your order today.