2000 $20 Silver Proof Transportation 2000 – The Bluenose

Of Wind and Salt

Launched in 1921, at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, The “Bluenose” is perhaps the most famous fishing schooner ever built.  Her speed and grace were nothing short of remarkable and she quickly became the quintessential symbol for speed on the open sea.  Later that year, after her first season fishing on the Grand Banks, The “Bluenose” competed for the International Fishermen’s Trophy – a series of races held between Canadian and American fishing schooners.  She captured the trophy in her first race and did not surrender it for the duration of her 18 year racing career.

The Second World War ended the era of the great fishing schooners.  In 1942, she was sold to carry freight in the West Indies and was claimed by a Haitian reef on 28^th January 1946.  Bluenose II, a replica of the original sailing ship, built in the same Lunenburg yard, was launched in 1963 and can still be seen gracing the waters off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Canadian artist J. Franklin Wright captures the magnificence of The “Bluenose” on the reverse of this coin.  The coin also features a Hologram cameo. The 2000 issues were the first Canadian coins ever issued with a gold holographic cameo.

The coin comes encapsulated and presented in a dark grey case. It is protected by a Royal Canadian Mint branded beauty box and it is accompanied by a booklet of authenticity.

Denomination - Twenty Canadian Dollars

Composition - Silver Proof (92.5% Silver and 7.5% Copper)

Weight - 31.103g

Diameter - 38mm

Worldwide Mintage Limit - 15,000

Mint - Royal Canadian Mint