Description: In Stock and Ready for Immediate Shipment! Long SOLD OUT at the Royal Canadian Mint! Celebrate the hard-working American coal miner on this low-mintage tribute to the colliery gold proof! One of the most important industries in any modern nation is coal mining. Coal not only produces a disproportionate amount of electricity, it is also used to create coke, a necessary ingredient in the manufacture of steel from iron. In many ways coal played in an integral part in the Industrial Revolution, both in Great Britain as well as in Canada and the United States. Working a dangerous but important job, the miners who dug the black mineral from the depths were definitely a breed apart. This gold proof—with the coal accented by black laser technology and a high $200 face value—honors those who mine this valuable resource from deep underground. The Original Black Gold The United States mines fully 20 percent of all coal produced in the world, trailing only China. More than 90 percent of the coal mined annually in the U.S. is used to generate electrical power. Twenty-seven states produce coal. Surprisingly, the state that mines the most is Wyoming, producing more than twice that of the second-place state, West Virginia. The next three, in descending order, are Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Texas. In Canada, it was in the late 1600s when the reserves of coal along the east coast first came to light. Visible in the outcroppings of cliffs along the shoreline, the valuable fuel source was easy pickings for the French military and early settlers. Authorities soon realized a potential source of wealth lay in the ground beneath them and opened the first commercial coal mine in 1720 in Port Morien (Cow Bay) on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Four years later, coal was first shipped to Boston, representing 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 in the world. Coal was the economic fuel of many communities - the prosperity of town and mine linked directly to each other as company stores and housing quickly disappeared when the coal ran out. From east to west, scenarios like this played out wherever coal was being harvested from the ground. Although production in Ontario and Quebec was limited, it was Nova Scotian coal that fueled their industrial development for almost a century. Obverse A finely engraved and dynamic depiction of a old-time coal miner, accented using laser technology, complete with lamp and helmet on his head, straining to move the heavily laden coal cart through the entrance to the mine. The date and denomination are also indicated. Reverse A frosted cameo portrait of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA ("Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God") and mint mark also appear. Packaging The coin is encapsulated inside a burgundy leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and protected by a black outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included. Specifications Country Canada Year of Issue 2009 Face Value 200 Dollars Weight 16.00 g Diameter 29.00 mm Mintage Limit 4,000 Finish Proof Composition .9167 Fine (22-Karat) Gold alloyed with .0833 Fine Silver Edge Serrated (milled, reeded) Artist John Mardon Certificate Individually Numbered Copyright © 2024 Talisman World Coins and Medals. All Rights Reserved.
Price: 1599.95 USD
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
End Time: 2024-10-17T06:29:22.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Coin: Canadian Trade Coal Mining Gold Proof
Composition: Gold
Year: 2009
Fineness: 0.917
Strike Type: Proof Uncirculated
Grade: Uncirculated Proof
Country/Region of Manufacture: Canada
Brand/Mint: Royal Canadian Mint
Certification: New in Full Original Mint Packaging OGP + CoA