Canada's new coin shows glimpses of life in Vancouver's first Black community from the 1900s

Canada's new coin commemorates Hogan's Alley, the first Black community in Vancouver.

The Royal Canadian Mint just revealed this $20 coin, which features glimpses into what life was like in this cultural hub during the 1900s.

This Canadian coin — Hogan's Alley – 1 oz. Fine Silver Coin — is part of the Mint's Commemorating Black History series and it has a face value of $20.

Hogan's Alley was home to many Black train porters who fought to get recognition for Black Canadians in the labour movement.

Also, women were essential to the community as many became well-known organizers and entrepreneurs, operating restaurants and speakeasies that were local favourites but cultural institutions.

Canadian artist Kwame Delfish designed the coin to showcase the spirit of Hogan's Alley.

It features B.C.'s provincial flower in the centre surrounded by vignettes reflecting the character and vibrancy of the neighbourhood.

That includes a cook at one of the women-owned chicken house restaurants, a Black railway sleeping car porter, and a choir representing the African Methodist Episcopal Fountain Chapel.

There are also two dancers, a pianist, a saxophonist and a singer on the coin to represent the talent that was showcased in the community's nightclubs and speakeasies.

Nora Hendrix, grandmother of Jimi Hendrix, lived in Hogan's Alley and co-founded Vancouver's first Black church — the African Methodist Episcopal Fountain Chapel — in 1918.

She also worked as a cook at Vie's Chicken and Steak House, the most famous chicken house restaurant in the area that attracted locals and touring celebrities!

This community was lost in the 1960s when the city began to tear it down for urban renewal which displaced and erased the Black community of Hogan's Alley.

Hogan's Alley – 1 oz. Fine Silver Coin is made of 99.99% pure silver and you can get it for $119.95.