For the first time since Bluenose appeared on Canada’s 10-cent circulation coin in 1937, the Royal Canadian Mint has re-designed the image of the famous fishing schooner Canadians have known and loved for a century.
Issued today with a design by Nova Scotia marine artist Yves Bérubé, the new coins mark the 100th anniversary of the iconic Bluenose schooner with coloured and uncoloured versions. The coloured version marks the first time the Mint has issued a coloured 10-cent coin, and it features a touch of blue to bring to life the North Atlantic waters the Bluenose ruled throughout its illustrious fishing and racing career. All of the other 10-cent coins struck this year with the classic schooner reverse design will also feature the double dates “1921-2021” in recognition of this milestone anniversary.
The coloured version (shown) features contrasting blue paint mimicking the water of the North Atlantic Ocean, where the Bluenose made its name. The Mint will issue six million coloured coins.
“When our circulation coins were re-designed in 1937 to celebrate Canada’s favourite national symbols, Bluenose inspired the design of the 10-cent coin,” said Mint President and CEO Marie Lemay. “Today, we are thrilled to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bluenose with a new design that will circulate from coast to coast to coast as we reaffirm our pride in an enduring icon of Canadian know-how and innovation.”
Soon after slipping into the waters of Lunenburg Harbour from the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard in March 1921, the Bluenose captured the hearts and minds of Canadians as the sleekest and fastest fishing schooner the world had ever seen. In its first season, the Bluenose hauled in a record catch on the Grand Banks and brought the International Fishermen’s Trophy back to Nova Scotia. In addition to proving itself an outstanding working vessel, the schooner remained undefeated in this racing series and proudly defended the title of “Queen of the North Atlantic Fishing Fleet” over nearly 20 years of racing.
The Mint will issue nine million uncoloured coins (shown).
The Bluenose also represented Canada on the international stage with memorable appearances at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 and King George V’s Silver Jubilee two years later.
“For 100 years, Bluenose has defined the spirit of Nova Scotia,” said Pat Dunn, Nova Scotia’s minister of communities, culture, tourism and heritage. “The skill and teamwork of Nova Scotians made Bluenose a world champion, as well as one of the most famous ships in Canadian history. This commemorative Bluenose coin will remind all Nova Scotians how our connection to the sea and our innovative spirit has created our determination to succeed.”
On the coin’s reverse, Bérubé’s Bluenose tribute shows an angled view of the schooner under full sail and heeled to port on the open sea. It’s available in both uncoloured and coloured versions, both of which are double-dated “1921-2021.” In what Mint officials are calling a “groundbreaking first” for a 10-cent circulation coin, the coloured version features contrasting blue paint highlighting the deep water of the North Atlantic.
In addition to the 15 million coloured and uncoloured coins, all of the other 10-cent circulation coins struck this year will be double-dated (shown).
The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Six million coloured coins and nine million uncoloured coins will begin circulating today.
COLLECTOR COINS
Since January, the Mint has been celebrating the Bluenose anniversary with a range of collector coins.
With today’s issue, the Mint has also announced new collector coins derived from the commemorative 10-cent circulation coin.
The Mint has also issued 100,000 collector keepsake sets (shown) and 40,000 special wrap roll sets.
A collector keepsake set features both versions of the commemorative circulation coin packaged with uncirculated versions of the Mint’s classic 2021 circulation coins (from five cents to $2). Its mintage is 100,000 sets.
A special wrap roll set also holds three 50-coin rolls, each featuring a different commemorative reverse design—the uncoloured and coloured versions featuring Bérubé’s anniversary artwork plus the “1921-2021” double-dated coins featuring the original 1937 Emmanuel Hahn schooner design. There is a mintage of 40,000 sets.
1 Comment
I think they should mention there is a fourth 10 cent coin for 2021 found in the annual classic uncirculated set. It has the original design from 1937 but has a single date of 2021, not the double date.