2023 Canada $200 Tall Ships: Full-Rigged Ship Pure Gold (No Tax)

With its iconic triangular staysails and square-rigged sails on all three (or more) masts, a full-rigged ship—like the one featured on the second Tall Ships pure gold coin—inspires a sense of dignified magnificence. That full complement of sails, so beautifully depicted on your coin’s reverse, makes it ideal for hauling goods and people over great distances and across deep seas, even in unpredictable conditions. The full-rigged ships of the 18th, 19th, and even 20th centuries facilitated the development of Canada—from the frigates built to defend these shores, to the cargo-carrying ships that supplied this fledgling nation. 

Today, North Star of Herschel Island is Canada’s only full-rigged ship. Built in 1935 for Inuvialuit trappers, the Arctic tall ship was the largest private vessel in the Western Arctic and was used to transport pelts to market and supplies to Sachs Harbour, the ship’s home port. Following a refit, North Star was used for scientific exploration in the Arctic Ocean from 1968 to 1973, and for surveying the British Columbia-Alaska boundary. Canada’s Arctic tall ship now calls the Pacific coast home, where North Star delights and educates those who wish to learn more about the ship’s place in Canadian history.

To learn more, visit www.northstarofherschelisland.ca

Another full-rigged ship, Hector, brought the first wave of emigrants directly from Scotland to Nova Scotia in 1773, earning it the moniker “Canada’s Mayflower.” After more than 11 weeks at sea, the three-masted fluyt (a Dutch-designed, square-rigged cargo vessel) landed near Pictou, N.S., on September 15, 1773. The late arrival date forced Hector’s passengers—originally 189 but 18 died during travel—to quickly build shelter before winter set in. The people of the Mi'kmaq First Nations community helped the settlers, teaching them vital survival skills. Many settled close to the shore and contributed to the development of Pictou, N.S., “the birthplace of New Scotland,” where a full-sized replica of Hector is open to the public at Hector Heritage Quay.

Inspired by the ships from Canada’s past, the reverse design by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin features an early morning view of a full-rigged ship sailing in calm waters with all sails set. The reverse includes the word “CANADA”, a face value of “200 DOLLARS” and the year “2023”. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.

Specifications:
Item Number: 206473
Mintage: 800
Composition: 99.99% pure gold
Weight: 15.43 g
Diameter: 29 mm
Face Value: $200
Finish: Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Neil Hamelin (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)

Special Features:
• The Second Coin in the Tall Ships Series! The annual Tall Ships series of pure gold coins celebrates the legendary vessels that drew international acclaim for Canada’s shipyards and contributed to our rich maritime heritage.
• Back to the golden age of sail. Each instalment showcases a different type of tall ship or sail plan, beginning with the brigantine on the 2022 coin (Coin #1) and continuing with the full-rigged ship featured here.
• Impeccable craftsmanship. Every Tall Ships coin is an expertly engraved and exquisitely detailed portrait of Canada’s past. These are the wooden ships that shaped the course of Canada’s history, and they served as a testament to our nation’s seafaring traditions and shipbuilding prowess.
• Pure Gold Portrait. This low mintage (800) coin is crafted from 99.99% pure gold. Its luminous, mirror-like finish lights up the engraved art on the coin’s reverse.
• Tall Ships: A popular theme. A prestigious addition to any collection, especially a gold, history or nautical-themed one.

Packaging:
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a black Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.