Description
It is the worst marine disaster along the Pacific Northwest coast: bound for Vancouver and Victoria as well as other ports-of-call along the way, the coastal vessel SS Princess Sophia hit Vanderbilt Reef and eventually foundered on October 25, 1918, leaving no survivors. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking, this fine silver coin depicts the moment of impact in the icy waters of Alaska’s Lynn Canal when the ship struck the reef and where the ship is still located today.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
SRP: $114.95
Item Number: 167535
UPC: 6-23932-09191-7
Composition: 99.99% pure silver
Mintage: 6,000
Weight: 31.39 g
Diameter: 38 mm
Face Value: $20
Finish: Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Yves Bérubé
Packaging: Maroon clamshell with black beauty box
SPECIAL FEATURES
- A tragedy never forgotten. Combining selective colour and engraving, this coin commemorates the centennial of the tragic sinking of the SS Princess Sophia and the loss of more than 350 lives.
- Engraved on the reverse is an innovative design first: an edgeengraved rope frame. This technical achievement provides undulating relief at the furthest edge of the coin, fully encircling the nautical theme.
- Stunning colour heightens the sense of tragedy on the reverse, where the colour palette conveys rough seas and icy wind that night, with waves crashing against the hull and sweeping over the reef at the moment of impact.
- Engraving adds geographic context. The reverse image fills the water between the engraved shores of Lynn Canal, the narrow Alaskan inlet where the SS Princess Sophia foundered.
- Not just one for history or naval enthusiasts. Stories of lost ships have long fascinated people of all ages, and this tragic tale is no exception. This coin’s captivating mix of colour and engraving makes it a stunning addition to any collection, regardless of theme.
DESIGN
The powerful reverse image by Yves Bérubé presents a dramatic depiction of an event that has been called “the unknown Titanic of the West Coast.” The artist’s choice of colours convey the rough seas in the early morning hours of October 24, 1918, when a blinding snow storm pushed the SS Princess Sophia off course and on a fateful collision with a wave-swept reef. The colourful scene shows the moment of impact, when the ship’s hull struck Vanderbilt Reef head on. The colour image fills the space between the engraved shores of Lynn Canal, the Alaskan Inlet where the events took place, which adds geographic context to the design. While the face value “20 DOLLARS”, the word “CANADA” and the year “2018” are engraved on both shores, the reverse is framed by an innovative nautical rope motif engraved to the edge. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
