Discover the Sable Island horse, a symbol of resilience and heritage.

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. Their enduring spirit is captured on this fine silver coin’s reverse, where the image of a galloping stallion inspires awe and reverence for these creatures who are strong and free, the cherished symbols of resilience, independence and survival.

Running wild and free: Celebrate a Canadian equine icon.

Good to know

65 years of protected status. An inspiring symbol of wild strength and survival, the Sable Island horse is a cherished Canadian icon that gained federal protection 65 years ago, in 1961.

Based on a photograph. Your coin’s photorealistic engraved design is based on the photograph The Stallion and the Sea taken by equine photographer Sandy Sharkey during a visit to Sable Island in 2014.

An overdue exploration of the theme. This return trip to Sable Island is long overdue—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.

An inspirational story worth revisiting. The enduring legacy of the Sable Island horse is one of strength and resilience, while the many heartfelt letters that compelled then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to intervene in 1960 are, in his own words, “an example of the processes of good citizenship.”

An exquisite design. Adapting a photograph to a coin is no easy feat (and it’s not something we do often) but a meticulous attention to detail is necessary in order to achieve the realistic depiction featured on your coin’s reverse, where the mix of frostings and relief heights help re-create the contrasts from the original image.

Immortalized in fine silver. Your coin is crafted in 1 oz. of 99.99% pure silver.

A limited work of art. Only 7,000 coins are available to collectors worldwide.

Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

No GST/HST

Did you know?

Descended from horses introduced in the 1700s, the Sable Island horses faced permanent removal from the island in 1960 when the government proposed to sell the horses due to concerns over malnutrition, inbreeding and harsh conditions. The news touched off a wave of public outcry. Moved by the letters he received from concerned Canadians of all ages, then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker intervened, and the horses gained protected status in 1961 through an amendment to the Canada Shipping Act, ensuring their survival and permanent place on the island.

“These particular animals have a long genealogy. They have been with us over a period of several hundred years, and I was naturally very much touched by some of the requests that were made. I had the matter looked into, and I think it may be said with certainty that these animals and their posterity will continue to live on this island.” - The Right Honourable John George Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963, during a House of Commons debate on June 2, 1960.

In 2013, Sable Island became a National Park Reserve, bringing the island and its famous horses (a naturalized species) under the protection of the Canada National Parks Act, and under the responsibility of Parks Canada.

Behind closed doors

“On a windswept island off the coast of Nova Scotia, the wild horses of Sable Island live in harmony with the sea, the wind, and the shifting sands. It is a great honour to have my image ‘The Stallion and the Sea’ adorn an official coin released by the Royal Canadian Mint, featuring a stallion charging down the beach, mane flying, with a herring gull as a feathery escort. Adored around the world, the wild horses are a source of pride for all Canadians, symbolizing the free spirit that exists in all of us.”

– Sandy Sharkey, Artist

“The Sable Island horses are iconic, representing the wildness, isolation, mystery, beauty, and energy of the island. Like the island itself, the horses’ habitat is largely shaped by the ocean and weather, by wind and waves. They are the only terrestrial mammal on Sable Island, and they have an important ecological role, sharing their home with nesting and migrant birds, freshwater fishes, and invertebrates. Some of these species, such as the tiny Sable Island Sweat Bee, are found only on the island.

Although frequently windy, the island’s climate is milder than that of mainland Nova Scotia. The horses’ habitat is seasonally changing, ranging from some challenging conditions during winter, to the lush abundance of summer when hundreds of plant species thrive in rich communities. Stands of marram grass and beach pea cloak the dunes and are among the primary forage plants for the horses. In more sheltered inland fields and valleys a wide variety of vegetation flourishes—including wild rose, bayberry, juniper, cranberry, goldenrod, aster, and six species of orchid.

The source of fresh water on Sable Island is rain and snow melt which accumulate in a natural underground reservoir. In low areas between the dunes, this water occurs as fresh water ponds and seasonal pools. The horses also frequently drink from shallow waterholes they dig in dune hollows and sand flats.

The Sable Island horses are well known internationally, and are recognized as a unique population, valued and appreciated both scientifically and culturally. They are the subject of long-term research programs and have been featured in many artworks—painting, photography, film, dance, and word. In 2008, the Nova Scotia Legislature passed a bill declaring them to be the Provincial Horse of Nova Scotia.”

– Zoe Lucas, President, Sable Island Institute

About the design

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a black Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

The reverse design is based on the photograph The Stallion and the Sea taken by Canadian equine photographer Sandy Sharkey during a visit to Sable Island, Nova Scotia, in 2014. The image shows one of the island’s famous wild horses, a stallion, galloping at full speed on the sandy beach. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

By placing an order, customers acknowledge and agree that if a product is out of stock after an order has been placed and payment has been processed, the order for that product will be cancelled and a refund will be issued; no substitute product will be provided. Some items may not be exactly as shown. Items available while quantities last. Canada Post reserves the right to limit purchase quantities on certain items. © 2026 Royal Canadian Mint. All rights reserved.

Product # 246267

$20 Fine Silver Coin - Sable Island Horses (2026)