2018 $20 FINE SILVER COIN
THE SINKING OF THE SS PRINCESS SOPHIA

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.

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.

THE SINKING OF THE SS PRINCESS SOPHIA - 2018 CANADIAN COINS is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 02- FINE SILVER and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.