© Sasquatch (CC BY-NC)
© Sasquatch (CC BY-NC)
20 Dollars - Elizabeth II Underground Railroad
2022 year| Silver (.9999) | 31.39 g | 38 mm |
| Issuer | Canada |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 2022 |
| Value | 20 Dollars 20 CAD = USD 15 |
| Currency | Dollar (1858-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.9999) |
| Weight | 31.39 g |
| Diameter | 38 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#350857 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 92% |
Reverse
Men, women, and children walking a circular path amongst rocks and trees along the edge of the coin. Starry sky above with the Big Dipper constellation shown as a line drawing.
Script: Latin
Lettering: CANADA
Designer: Kwame Delfish
Edge
Serrated
Comment
They risked everything for the promise of freedom that awaited them at the end of the long journey, and this freedom had a name: "the promised land" that today is called Canada. Black History Commemoration 2022 pays tribute to the quest for freedom of the "passengers" who rode the Underground Railroad to Canada, the safe haven where slavery was abolished on August 1ᵉʳ, 1834.From the early 1800s until 1865, at least 30,000 slaves of African origin fled to British North America using this secret network of routes and safe havens. In search of freedom, many of these men, women and children traveled on foot, often at night, to avoid recapture. Once in Canada, they found refuge in the Black communities of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where they could finally live freely, but not without discrimination.
August 1ᵉʳ, Emancipation Day in Canada
The Underground Railroad helped many people of African descent escape slavery in the American South, but until the 19ᵉ century, slavery also existed in British North America (Canada). While anti-slavery measures had been adopted in some Canadian territories, it was the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which came into force on August 1ᵉʳ, 1834, that abolished the practice in most of the British Empire, including today's Canada. In reality, freedom came gradually for many, and equality was far from a foregone conclusion. Nevertheless, this imperial law remains a monumental milestone in the history of Black Canadians, having forged the perception of Canada as a safe place and popular terminus for passengers on the "freedom train".
DID YOU KNOW?
To preserve secrecy and avoid capture and punishment, the Underground Railroad used a system of code names inspired by railway terminology. Those who provided financial support were called "shareholders". Ticket agents" helped freedom seekers make contact with "conductors", who guided or transported "passengers", "cargo" or "goods" (people trying to escape slavery) along the "lines", the path to freedom in the northern U.S. and Canada. At "terminals" (towns or villages), "stations" or "depots" were temporary shelters run by "stationmasters", who hid fugitives, fed them and provided them with clothing.
The ladle-shaped asterism known as the Grande Casserole was called "the gourd". For those traveling at night, it served as a landmark in the night sky: the two stars on the outer side of the "saucepan" always point to the North Star (Polaris), which guides anyone traveling north.
"This piece pays tribute to the slaves of yesteryear who escaped north in search of freedom. Many failed to reach their destination, condemned to relive the hardships they were trying to escape (or even worse). Those who did made it built their heritage and shaped the mosaic that is Canada today. I hope I've been able to illustrate their strength and courage on this piece and sing their gospel."
Kwame Delfish, artist
"As a Canadian of African descent, it is my great honor to share the stories of Black people in Canada. Our past is rich and important. By sharing these stories, I hope to raise awareness and inspire others to take the time to learn not only about the hardships suffered by Black people here, but also about their contributions and achievements."
Christa Bruce, Product Manager, Royal Canadian Mint
"When engraving this coin, I focused on the people, because it's their story it tells. I opted for a layered approach, first forming the silhouettes that represent the tens of thousands of people who risked their lives to obtain freedom. Other details enrich the narrative, such as the mix of frostings in the sky, which creates a twinkling effect that mimics starlight when viewed from different angles."
Matthew Porter, sculptor, engraver and 3D artist
Packaging
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a black double-shell case adorned with the Royal Canadian Mint logo. The case is accompanied by a black protective box.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 2022 Canadian Underground Railroad $20 silver coin is that it features a unique reverse design that showcases a historical map of the Underground Railroad, which was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans in the 19th century to escape slavery in the United States. The map is surrounded by a wreath of freedom, symbolizing the pursuit of liberty and equality. This coin serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of those who fought for their freedom and human rights.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5500 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 20 Dollars - Elizabeth II (Underground Railroad) 2022 coin.
