March 1, 2012 – The Royal Mint is commemorating the 100th anniversary of RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage with the release of a GBP 5 coin, available in both Silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
The voyage began on 10 April 1912 when RMS Titanic, the largest passenger steamship in the world (at the time), set sail from Southampton to New York, with 2,223 people on board. Owned by the White Star Line and constructed at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, the luxurious passenger liner was built to be a showstopper – both visually and technically – but she met a tragic fate. Late on the 14 April 1912, RMS Titanic struck an iceberg that would ultimately lead to her sinking less than three hours later – a catastrophic disaster that resulted in the loss of more than 1,500 lives.
The commemorative coin features a dramatic depiction of the maritime legend, designed by Lee Robert Jones from The Royal Mint engraving team.
Island of Alderney – 5 GBP – .925 sterling silver – 28.28 g – 38.61 mm – Design: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS (obverse) and Lee Robert Jones (reverse) – Mintage: 7,500. Also availabe als Brilliant Uncirculated in Cupro-nickel with unlimited mintage.
Issued under the authority of the Channel Island of Alderney, the reverse design of the GBP 5 coin depicts a sleek profile of Titanic with designer Lee Robert Jones’ rendition of Thane looking down on the ship as she sails through the sea. “It is my intention with design to supply a visual narrative; to tell a story. My design is concerned with the spectacle of the ship and the tragedy that awaits.
I have used an ‘apparition’ of Sir Thomas Brock’s Thane memorial, reaching in readiness before the ship with a laurel wreath, its stark silhouette contrasting with the detailed striking model of Titanic cutting through the waves with purpose and pride” Lee explains.
Erected on 26 June 1920 as a memorial to all those who died in the Titanic disaster, the marble figure of the goddess Thane stands in Belfast, home of the Harland and Wolff shipyard where Titanic was constructed, and was designed by Sir Thomas Brock who also designed the Queen Victoria Statue which stands outside Buckingham Palace.
Available in striking Silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated quality, both coins are set to be struck in limited mintage, making them a must-have for any collector or those wishing to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the maritime legend. Packaged in a luxurious black gift box, the Silver Proof coin includes a Certificate of Authenticity. The Brilliant Uncirculated coin is available in an informative presentation folder detailing the story of Titanic and her tragic voyage.
For more information, please visit The Royal Mint’s website.
To listen again to the Titanic theme song performed by Celine Dion, please click here.
Many thorough information you can find on the website of the Titanic Historical Society.