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The 1987 Canada 20 Dollars Curling silver coin (KM#156) is the final issue in the Royal Canadian Mint’s acclaimed ten-coin sterling silver commemorative series honoring the XV Olympic Winter Games held in Calgary in 1988. Struck in proof quality and composed of .925 fine silver, this coin highlights curling—an enduring and culturally significant winter sport in Canada. With its graceful design, limited mintage, and technical precision, the coin serves as both a tribute to Canada’s sporting heritage and a capstone to one of the most respected Olympic coin series ever produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.
The obverse of the coin features the timeless effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Arnold Machin. This portrait depicts the Queen in right-facing profile wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. The surrounding legend reads “ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA,” which stands for “Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen.” The obverse’s clean lines and frosted relief stand out brilliantly against the deeply mirrored fields typical of the Mint’s proof finish. This elegant and recognizable design was used on Canadian coinage from 1965 to the late 1980s and adds a sense of continuity to the Olympic series.
The reverse of the coin pays tribute to curling, a sport with deep roots in Canadian culture and history. It features a curling athlete in the act of delivering a stone across the ice, captured in a low, extended pose that emphasizes control, balance, and precision. The artist skillfully renders the athlete's body language, equipment, and motion to evoke the intense concentration and graceful technique associated with curling. The stone glides in the foreground, while subtle lines suggest the ice’s texture and the sweeping action that defines the game. To the right of the central figure is the emblem of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, a stylized snowflake formed by interlocking “C” shapes, with the Olympic rings and a central maple leaf. Beneath the curling scene are the inscriptions “20 DOLLARS” and the date “1987.”
The coin was struck in sterling silver (.925 fine) with a weight of 34.08 grams and a diameter of 40 millimeters. This provides an actual silver weight of 1.0145 troy ounces. The reeded edge and generous surface area make this coin ideal for high-relief artistry. Proof striking techniques, using polished dies and specially prepared planchets, result in frosted devices and mirrored fields that create exceptional cameo contrast and detail clarity. This quality is readily visible in the fine elements of the curler’s uniform, the stone, and the Olympic emblem.
Issued in a limited mintage of 500,000 pieces, the 1987 $20 Curling coin was sold individually in a presentation-quality clamshell case with a red velvet interior and included a bilingual (English and French) certificate of authenticity. These were also sold as part of multi-coin Olympic sets. Many coins remain in their original packaging, preserving their proof condition and appeal to collectors who value originality and presentation. Coins that are complete with case and certificate maintain strong collector interest and generally trade at a premium.
In Proof (PF) condition, the coin exhibits full strike sharpness, smooth reflective fields, and strong frosted contrast on the raised designs. The precision of the Mint’s execution means that the curling athlete’s posture, facial expression, and equipment are rendered in impressive detail. Specimens that have been graded by professional services like NGC or PCGS often achieve high PF68 or PF69 grades, reflecting the Mint’s exceptional quality control and the care typically given to the storage of these coins by collectors.
Curling is widely regarded as one of Canada’s most culturally embedded winter sports. Though it was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Games and would not become a full medal event until 1998, its inclusion in the Canadian Olympic coin series underscores its national significance. The 1987 Curling $20 coin is thus both a commemoration of a sport beloved by Canadians and a recognition of its growing international popularity. The reverse design effectively communicates the strategic and athletic essence of curling while celebrating the sport’s distinctly Canadian identity.
This coin appeals not only to numismatists but also to sports enthusiasts, curling fans, and collectors of Olympic memorabilia. It completes the ten-coin Calgary 1988 Winter Games silver series, following other sport-themed issues such as figure skating, skiing, biathlon, and speed skating. As the final release in the series, it holds special significance for those completing the full collection and offers thematic and visual balance to the group as a whole.
The 1988 Calgary Olympic silver coin series remains a landmark in Canadian numismatics, representing a proud moment in the country’s athletic and minting history. These coins helped fund the Games and left a lasting legacy of artistic excellence and national celebration. Each issue, including the 1987 Curling $20, blends cultural symbolism with fine silver content, giving collectors a unique combination of beauty, historical relevance, and intrinsic value.
In conclusion, the 1987 Canada $20 Curling silver proof coin (KM#156) is a dignified and beautifully executed tribute to a quintessential Canadian winter sport. Its inclusion in the Calgary Olympic silver series enhances its cultural importance, while its limited mintage, sterling silver composition, and exceptional proof finish ensure continued appreciation among collectors. As the final piece in a celebrated Olympic collection, it offers a satisfying and meaningful conclusion to a series that commemorates both athletic excellence and Canada’s contributions to the global Olympic movement.