The Sable Island horse has roamed freely for generations, largely untouched by human influence on a remote sandbar off the coast of Nova Scotia. These wild horses have called Sable Island home for nearly 300 years, surviving in isolation and sometimes harsh weather; when a proposed removal sparked a public outcry, formal protections were put in place in 1961 to ensure they remained free and undisturbed. Th many heartfelt letters that compelled then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to intervene were, in his own words, “an example of the processes of good citizenship.”
The enduring spirit of the Sable Island horses is captured on this fine silver coin’s reverse, where the image of a galloping stallion represents these creatures who are strong and free, the cherished symbols of resilience, independence and survival. The silver coin’s design is based on the photograph The Stallion and the Sea, taken by equine photographer and Sable Island guide Sandy Sharkey in 2014. “It’s always an honour to lead small groups to experience the wild horses of Sable Island Nova Scotia,” said Sharkey, who took the dramatic photo from a Zodiac boat in the Atlantic Ocean.
The last time the Sable Island horse was featured on a Canadian coin was in 2006, 20 years ago. This coin is an opportunity to revisit the story in 2026 and introduce it to a new wave of collectors.
The coin is crafted in 1 oz. of 99.99% pure silver and is a limited work of art – only 7,000 coins are available to collectors worldwide at a cost of $229.95 CAD.
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