by Tom Craig
Sometimes when you are able to source a small collection from someone or a friend, it can have some unusual items that you may or may not have seen in a long time. This is one of those times.
The item in question is an “event medal” struck to commemorate this local event in Saint John NB.
The occasion was the opening of the Oil Terminal, Canaport, December 1969, as we know it, in Saint John. It would allow oil to be unloaded from the large ships to shore tanks. You may know this, but it was the Western Hemisphere’s first Deep Water Terminal! Canaport was built by SUN OIL at the time in partnership with, IRVING OIL. Irving Oil now operates the terminal to this day.
This was quite an accomplishment when you think of it, the terminal is located several kilometres off shore and the oil is pumped ashore by a submerged line that practically floats.
The medal is made of bronze; dia. is 45mm, approx. thickness is 5 mm. weight is about 2 ozs.
It is not know who manufactured this or how many were struck. A second medal for this event is also known to exist but is much larger diameter at about 110 mm.
Is there any value attached to these medals? A friend of mine has one and asked me to look into it.
Hi Sharon, I think the last one I saw sold for $40 in an auction. Hope that helps.