May 10, 2012 – 2012 marks 100 years since the infamous sinking of the Titanic. In remembrance of that fateful day the South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE) is launching one of its commemorative Titanic coins.
The £25 Titanic Gold Proof Coin features an intricate engraving of the RMS Titanic with the figure of Thane in the background (as on The Titanic Memorial sculpted by Sir Thomas Brock) on the obverse with the profile of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the reverse.
The 2012 £25 Titanic Gold Proof Coin was minted by the British Royal Mint and has a limited mintage of 1,000.This year SAGCE decided to release the coin to honour the 1,517 passengers who lost their lives on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.
RMS Titanic departing Southampton on April 10, 1912. Photo: F. G. O. Stuart / Wikipedia.
On 14 April 1912, the Titanic was en route to New York City when it hit an iceberg 603kms south of Newfoundland at 23h40. A few hours later at 02h20 on 15 April 1912, the ship which was dubbed unsinkable, sank.
Although it was equipped with many safety features including watertight compartments and remotely activated watertight doors, she lacked enough lifeboats to accommodate the 2224 passengers and crew. As a result, when she sank only 710 people survived.
The sinking of the Titanic received worldwide acknowledgement and is now a significant part of world history. It is this significance which led to the SAGCE launch of the collectable coin.
“SAGCE is proud to be a part of the 100th anniversary that takes a moment to remember those that lost their lives that fateful night,” says Alan Demby, the executive chairman of the SAGCE.
The Titanic coin continues SAGCE’s tradition of commemorative coins. Demby predicts that the coin will be well received thanks to the historical significance and the high quality of minting. A 5oz Titanic Mother of Pearl coin is already on the market and available as a collector’s item.
Some interesting facts about the Titanic include:
- She was 269.1m in length;
- 825 tons of coal was used per day to propel the ship;
- of the 64 number of lifeboats the Titanic was equipped to carry, she only had 20;
- the first lifeboat carried 28 people to safety but had a capacity of 65;
- six iceberg warnings were received before the collision;
- it took the ship 160 minutes (two hours and 40 minutes) to sink after hitting the iceberg; and
- those who survived the sinking of the ship but ended up in the sea, met a temperature of -2 degrees Celsius, where most died of hypothermia.
You will find that coin on the website of the South African Gold Coin Exchange.
The 5oz Titanic Mother of Pearl Coin is available here.