- Country:Canada
- Collection:Gold Commemorative $200
- Metal:Gold
- Year:2016
- Denomination:$200
- Finish:Complete
- Weight (oz):1.0
- Purity:0.9999
- Mintage:275
- Product type:Coin
The Marco Polo was launched in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1851 to provide passenger service during the Australian gold rush. She quickly rose to fame as the fastest clipper ship in the world when she completed her roundtrip voyage between England and Australia in just five months and 21 days! Celebrate Canada's proud maritime history with this exquisite coin featuring the Marco Polo under full sail, every detail engraved with amazing historical accuracy that will delight even the most discerning collector.
Celebrate Canada's famous tall ships with this gorgeous coin! Order today!
Special Features:
Second coin in an outstanding four-coin series that proudlycelebrates Canada's famous tall ships and ourrich maritime heritage.
A SAILING LEGEND! Commemorates the 165th anniversary of the launch of the Marco Polo, which is arguably NewBrunswick's most famous ship and a sailing legend that brought international acclaim to Saint John's shipyards.
MULTIPLE FINISHES! Expertly engraved with multiple finishes that bring the design to life in stunning detail, which stands as a testament to our craftsmanship.
Your coin is GST/HST exempt!
Design:
Designed by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin, your coin features a three-quarter portside view of the iconic Canadian sailing vessel, Marco Polo. The fastest clipper in her day, the Marco Polo is depicted on an oceanic voyage under full sail. With the wind filling her billowing sails, the sight of Marco Polo's masts rising up into the sky adds a regal grandeur to this portrait of the wooden vessel as her bow cuts through the water. Precisionengraving faithfully recreates the ship's appearance with great historical accuracy, while capturing the finer details that served as a testament toher shipbuilder.
Named for the famous merchant explorer, the three-masted ship Marco Polo was launched on April 17, 1851 and served as a proud example of the craftsmanship and capabilities of Canada's shipyards.The 1,625 ton ship had three decks, a flaring bow,a yacht-like bottom, and a length of 56 metres that made her the longest ship built in New Brunswick. Just one year later, the Marco Polo was heralded as "the fastest ship inthe world," in her new role as a transport vessel for those seeking a new life and greater fortunes in Australia.
Purchased in June 1852 by the Black Ball Line, the Marco Polo was refitted for passenger service at the start of the Australian gold rush. Boasting luxurious maple panelling, crimson embossed velvet upholstery and stained glass saloon doors on herupper deck, the re-fastened Marco Polo set sail on July 4, 1852, from Liverpool, England, to Australia's Port Phillips Head, then back again; the entire round-trip voyage was madein 5 months, 21 days-an unheard feat at the time and a new record that went unchallenged for15 years! In 1867, New Brunswick's most famous 19th century sailing ship completed her last voyage as a passenger ship before being employed solely as a cargo vessel for the remainder of her career. While carrying a cargo of lumber bound for London, Marco Polo sprung a leak just north of Prince Edward Island and was grounded on July 25, 1883 off Cavendish, P.E.I., until a strong gale would send the legendary ship to her watery grave in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.
Did you knowÃ
The Marco Polo was completed in 1851 and launched at Marsh Creek in Saint John, N.B.; today, the site is spanned by a bridge that bears the ship's name, as does one of the two cruise terminals in the Port of Saint John.
Refitted as a passenger ship, the Marco Polo featured luxurious suites in her upper deck but cramped living conditions in its lower deck, leading to an outbreak of measles that claimed 52 lives during her first voyage.
It is said that one out of every 20 Australians can trace their roots back to the Marco Polo during her years as a passenger ship.
The wreck of the Marco Polo off Cavendish, P.E.I., was designated a National Historic Site in 1990.
The ship's demise in 1883 was witnessed on-shore by a young Lucy Maud Montgomery, who would become one of Canada's most beloved authors.
