2003 Canadian $20 Transportation: The HMCS Bras d'or FHE-400 Sterling Silver Gold-plated Coin

2003 Canadian $20 Transportation: The HMCS Bras d'or FHE-400 Sterling Silver Gold-plated Coin

At the end of the Second World War, military research in Canada was solidly fixed on anti-submarine warfare. Officials knew they had to increase the speed of their surface ships if they hoped to compete against the latest threats posed by nuclear propulsion. Researchers quickly identified a technology that was originally developed by Alexander Graham Bell and Frederick Baldwin as the most promising strategy -- the hydrofoil. Such a ship would achieve much higher speeds than conventional surface ships by rising up on a set of wing-like "foils" to virtually eliminate the friction that would otherwise exist between a ship's hull and the water.

After 20 years in development, the Bras d'or began her sea trials in 1968. She performed brilliantly, "flying" on her foils at speeds of up to over 60 knots. Even in swells of 10 ft, she was more comfortable foilborne at 40 knots than an observing frigate was at 18. Her future looked promising, but a shift in defense policy brought a sudden end to her career in 1971.

Features

- The popular Land, Sea and Rail Transportation Coin Series returns with special-edition coins that put the spotlight on transportation innovations of the 20th century.
- Each coin features a special-edition cameo struck with an intricate sterling silver design
- The rest of the coin's surface is treated to an ultra-precise selective gold plating technique

Design

Canadian artist Donald Curley captured the Bras d'or gliding foilborne across the open seas. The obverse features the Effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Dora de Pedery-Hunt.

Packaging

2003 Canadian $20 Transportation: The HMCS Bras d'or FHE-400 Sterling Silver Gold-plated Coin comes encapsulated and presented in Royal Canadian Mint oval-shaped metal clamshell case, custom Transportation Series box and Certificate of Authenticity.

Specifications

Face Value: $20
Mintage: 31,997
Composition: 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper
Weight (g): 31.103
Diameter (mm): 38.0
Finish: Proof