A proud tradition continues with the 57th issue of the popular collectible! The proof dollar is a time-honoured, numismatic tradition and has been among the Royal Canadian Mint’s best-selling coins every year since 1937!
On July 27, 1866, a new era of global communication began as S.S. Great Eastern steamed into Heart’s Content, Newfoundland, to complete a link that could relay messages quickly between the Old World and the New. This fine silver proof dollar commemorates the 150th anniversary of that transatlantic telegraph cable, which revolutionized communications while transforming Newfoundland into an international communication hub.
The reverse design by Canadian marine artist Yves Bérubé features a starboard side view of S.S.Great Eastern as the iron steamship triumphantly rests in the harbour of Heart’s Content,Newfoundland. Painstakingly engraved in exceptional detail, the Great Eastern easily dwarfs a localgaff-rigged fishing boat (known as a Jack Boat) off her bow, while her four funnels and six masts rise up to fill the upper portion of the reverse. In the background, the picturesque fishing village and the rolling hills that surround Trinity Bay are a welcome sight, signalling the end of one journey for the crew after spending weeks laying the transatlantic cable along the North Atlantic seabed. This historic cable linking Heart’s Content to Valentia Island, Ireland, is illustrated on the map element that fills reverse’s lower portion. Fittingly, the cable itself is represented on the map.
Diameter: 36.07mm Material: Silver Fineness: 0.9999 Bullion Weight: 0.745 Troy Ounces
Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II Reverse: Starboard side view of S.S. Great Eastern Artist: Yves Berube Finish: Proof Quantity Produced: 20000 Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II Theme(s): Transportation
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