• Country:Canada
• Collection:Silver Commemorative $20
• Metal:Silver
• Year:2009
• Denomination:$20
• Finish:Complete
• Weight (oz):1.009
• Purity:0.9999
• Mintage:3349
• Product type:Coin

$20 Fine Silver Coin - Coal Mining Trade (2009)
In Canada, it was the late 1600's when the reserves of coalalong the east coast first came to light. Visible in theoutcroppings of cliffs along the shoreline, the valuable fuelsource was easy pickings for the French military and earlysettlers.

Authorities soon realized a potential source of wealth lay inthe ground beneath them and opened the first commercialcoal mine in 1720 in Port Morien (Cow Bay) in Cape Breton(Nova Scotia). Four years later, coal was shipped to Boston;the first recorded mineral export from Canada. By 1873,there were eight coal companies operating in the region.Theirs were some of the most extensive mining operations inthe world.

Coal was the economic fuel of many communities-theprosperity of town and mine linked directly to each other ascompany stores and housing quickly disappeared when thecoal ran out. From east to west, scenarios like this played outwherever coal was being harvested from the ground.Although production in Ontario and Quebec was limited, itwas Nova Scotian coal that fuelled their industrialdevelopment for almost a century.

Special features:
¥ Second issue in the Historical Commerce Collection of fine silver coins.
¥ Silver rendition of the engraved Gold Design.
¥ Handcrafted artistry and cutting-edge craftsmanship ensure ultra-crisp definition and relief.
¥ A remarkable tribute to a founding industry that has shaped countless communitiesacross North America.