Silver Ounce 2020 Willie O'Ree, Coin from Canada - detailed information

This coin was issued in Canada.

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When Willie O’Ree stepped onto the ice on January 18, 1958, he wasn’t just making his National Hockey League® (NHL) debut—he was making history. Celebrate Black History Month with this pure Silver tribute to Canadian-born hockey player Willie O’Ree, who became the first Black player to compete in the NHL. A story of courage and determination, O’Ree had to overcome discrimination and a competitive disadvantage to make his hockey dreams come true in the Original Six era. By breaking the league’s racial barrier, O’Ree’s legacy can’t be found in any scoring stats—it’s in the path he carved for future generations of Black players who left their own imprint on the game.

Coin Highlights:
Contains 1 oz of .9999 fine Silver.
Limited mintage of 5,500 coins.
Comes in a black clamshell with a graphic outer box.
Obverse: The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Reverse: The reverse design re-creates a photograph of Hockey Hall of Fame member Willie O’Ree from his playing days with the Boston Bruins (1958, 1960-61). O’Ree’s signature is reproduced above his jersey number (“22”), while in the background, the Boston Bruins logo forms a repeating field pattern.
Guaranteed by the Royal Canadian Mint.

Your coin honors Willie O’Ree, the first Black player to compete in the NHLWhen Willie O’Ree stepped onto the ice on January 18, 1958, he wasn’t just making his National Hockey League® (NHL) debut—he was making history. O’Ree’s signature is reproduced above his jersey number (“22”), while in the background, the Boston Bruins logo forms a repeating field pattern.