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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,115 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12253 Posts |
I received a nice surprise upon opening my 2016 Fine Silver Transatlantic Cable Proof set today; the commemorative silver dollar had selective gold-plating on both the obverse and reverse sides. I believe this is the first of these gold-plated proof sets to feature gold plating on the obverse portrait of the silver dollar. I know that I shouldn't have been surprised as the RCM web site shows the gold-plated portrait on the proof set's page, but when I purchased the set I didn't pay any particular attention to the obverse image on the RCM web site - my focus was on the commemorative reverse. Hence, the gold-plated portrait was a surprise for me! A little gold-plated silver dollar proof set history...The first gold-plated SD proof set was issued in 2005 for the 40th anniversary of Canada's National Flag. It featured selective gold plating on the flag (the elements that are red on the flag are gold plated on the SD). In 2008, the RCM added gold plating to the rim on the commemorative reverse as well as on the portrait obverse. In what could be called the "next evolutionary step," the 2016 proof dollar features a gold-plated portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in addition to gold plating on selected elements of the commemorative reverse design. The gold plating of the rim continues on both sides of the coin. I'm surprised the RCM did not market this "first" in their description of the set. Here are images of the coin in my set: 2016 Commemorative Silver Dollar - Obverse 2016 Commemorative Silver Dollar - Reverse Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Valued Member
United States
398 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
I guess if you are going to produce (and collect) NCLT, they should be beautiful. This one certainly is.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2845 Posts |
Wow, an extremely attractive coin! Compared with the standard issue SD, I can see why the plated version becomes far more desirable in terms of interest and appeal.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
2360 Posts |
Thanks for this information Commems, the gold plating on the obverse
appears to have more than one tone, the hair (more orange), face (gold) and
clothes (olive green) look to have some colour separation from your pictures.
Very nice gilded silver dollar. I will be getting silver dollar on its own.
Edited by SilverDon
01/19/2016 4:29 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
287 Posts |
Very nice looking coin, can't wait for mine to come
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1751 Posts |
@SilverDon, I hadn't noticed the different shadings of gold. So I went back and you are correct. It does give the obverse a different look. I am finding there is lose of fine detail, especially around the eyes and face/
What are opinions on the theme. It doesn't really grab me. I would of preferred the fire of parliament buildings. Its an important event, but the scene just is mediocre for me, or plain. I really enjoyed the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Silver dollars, those are more gripping. They are better at depicting a story. It would be interesting to hear others opinions.
Edited by pocket change 50
01/19/2016 8:12 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2845 Posts |
Pocket Change have you researched the significance of this year's SD theme? An underground cable laid 150 years ago to connect Newfoundland and Ireland so telegraph messages could be transmitted as opposed to messages delivered by ship that otherwise took a two week journey? This certainly was a huge progress in the early history in Canada and I think RCM very appropriately commemorated it through a very intriguing design. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1751 Posts |
I did read up on the laying of the cable, when Commens first wrote about possible themes. It is a truly remarkable accomplishment. However, they needed to depict the actual laying of the cable. The ship in the harbor is inadequate for me. A little action, or at least depict the cable. A ship in the water could be anything. It just may take time to grow on me.
They could of had a small scene of a message being sent.
Edited by pocket change 50
01/19/2016 9:09 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2845 Posts |
About the Design: Designed by Canadian marine artist Yves Berube, your proof silver dollar coin features a starboard side view of S.S. Great Eastern as the iron steamship triumphantly rests in the harbour of Heart's Content, Newfoundland. Painstakingly engraved in exceptional detail, the Great Eastern easily dwarfs a local gaff-rigged fishing boat (known as a Jack Boat) off her bow, while her four funnels and six masts rise up to fill the upper portion of the reverse. In the background, the picturesque fishing village and the rolling hills that surround Trinity Bay are a welcome sight, signalling the end of one journey for the crew after spending weeks laying the transatlantic cable along the North Atlantic seabed. This historic cable linking Heart's Content to Valentia Island, Ireland, is illustrated on the map element that fills reverse's lower portion. Fittingly, the cable itself is represented on the map. - See more at: http://www.mint.ca/store/coins/pure...-prod2601158 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2845 Posts |
Quote:
I would of preferred the fire of parliament buildings.
I notice by RCM's new releases that theme is instead used for the $100 gold coin. The choice makes sense considering gold emulates warmth that compliments fire, as opposed to that of silver, white/cold. However because of high gold prices, it's selling at almost $600. |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,115 |
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Posted 01/19/2016 1:51 pm
