Sunday, 3 March 2019

940) Centenary Anniversary of Canadian National Railway Company (CN) (1919-2019): Gold Coins in the denomination of 200 Dollars issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, Canada: The Coin features three of CN's iconic Railway Engines, which drove Canada's progress over the past Century:

940) Centenary Anniversary of Canadian National Railway Company (CN) (1919-2019): Gold Coins in the denomination of 200 Dollars issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, Canada: The Coin features three of CN's iconic Railway Engines, which drove Canada's progress over the past Century:

The Royal Canadian Mint has issued new Gold Coins to celebrate the Centenary Anniversary of Canada's primary Rail and Freight Service.

The Canadian National Railways (or CN as it is usually called). Its locomotives were the driving engines of development, while its tracks are the ribbons of steel that are woven into the fabric of the country.

Since its incorporation on 06.06.1919, CN left its imprint on modern Canada. The freight trains of today are the continuation of a storied Railway tradition which began in the "Age of Steam", when CN's network connected Canadians from the Atlantic to the Pacific and supported the communities in between.

From transportation to telecommunications, CN's 100-year history is synonymous with a century of progress in Canada.

The history of Canadian National Railways resulted from the nationalisation and amalgamation of four Railway Networks - the Grand Trunk Pacific, the intercolonial, the Canadian Northern Railway and the National Transcontinental Railway.

Until the 1970s, its operations extended well beyond passenger and freight service. From telegraphs to steamships, radio and resorts, the former Crown Corporation kept Canadians connected over land, sea and even air with the launch of the first National Airline in 1937.

CN gradually shifted its focus to freight services when the Company was wholly privatised in 1995.

The largest Rail Network in Canada, today, CN's trains transport more than $280 billion worth of  worth of goods annually across tracks that span a continent - from East to West and South tp the Gulf of Mexico.CN employs over 24,000 people - present day.

The Commemorative 200 Dollars Gold Coin:


The Obverse and Reverse of the 200 Dollars Gold Coin commemorating the Centennial of the Canadian National Railways (1919-2019)


The Reverse of the 200 Canadian Dollars Gold Coin features three different locomotives, as a tribute to a century of driving innovation, framed by the tracks that continue to be the backbone of Canada's economy. 

The side-by-side view of the three Canadian National Railway engines that have powered progress in Canada during the last 100 years is prominently featured on this face in striking detail.

On the far right is No. 6060, one of the last Mountain Steam Locomotives delivered to CN. Next is Locomotive 6400, a Class U-4-a Confederation Steam Locomotive and in the foreground, CN2304 is a GEES44DC model that represents today's efficient diesel freight locomotives.

Instead of the traditional denticles (or dots), train tracks encircle the rim and frame a stylised map that alludes to the Railway's impact across Canada.

Inscriptions on this face include - "200 DOLLARS", the Commemoration dates "1919", "2019" and "CANADA".

Locomotive 6400: Built by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1936, CN 6400 belongs to the Class U-4-a Confederation Steam Locomotives that were used for passenger service until the mid-twentieth Century.

 It famously carried King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their visit in 1939 and it was a feature attraction at the 1939 New York World's Fair. No. 6400 is currently on display at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, Canada.

Locomotive 6060: Built in 1944, No. 6060 was the first "Bullet Nose Betty" (U-1-f Class) Locomotive assembled by Montreal Locomotive Works.

 It was among the last of the 4-8-2 Mountain-type locomotives that had been the backbone of CN's fleet since 1923. The late-era steam locomotive was primarily assigned the Canada-wide passenger runs and pulled the Royal Coach in 1951. Retired in 1959, CN 6060 was restored and then given as a gift to the people of Alberta, where it was sent off to Vancouver to take part in Expo 86.

Locomotive 2304: CN 2304 represents the highly efficient, technologically advanced freight locomotives of today.

The DC-traction counterpart to the popular ES44AC, the six-axle ES44DC is rated at 4,400 horsepower. It is one of the Evolution Series (GEVO) of diesel locomotives that were first introduced in 2003 to meet modern emissions standards.
The Obverse of the 200 Canadian Dollars Gold Coin features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, created by Susana Blunt. The peripheral inscriptions are - "ELIZABETH II. D.G. REGINA" (meaning "Elizabeth II, By the Grace of God, Queen").

The specifications of this Gold Coin are:

Denomination: 200 Canadian Dollars; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Ag); Weight: 15.43 grams; Diameter: 29.0 mm; Edge: Serrated Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Minted by: Royal Mint, Canada; Mint Year: 2019.

Each coin is individually encapsulated and presented in a custom case along with a numbered/serialised Certificate of Authenticity (COA).




For other interesting posts on the Coins and Banknotes of Canada, please visit the following links:









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