World Mints Mark Titanic Centennial with Silver Commemorative Coins

Mention the name "Titanic" and a majority of those who hear it will immediately recall stories of one of the most horrific maritime accidents in history. Acknowledging the profound place the sinking of the RMS Titanic still holds in society today, three major world mints have released silver commemorative coins to mark the centennial of that tragic event.

The Perth Mint of Australia has issued the 2012 $1 RMS Titanic Silver Proof Coin, the UK Royal Mint has released the 2012 £5 Titanic 100th Anniversary Alderney Silver Proof Coin, and finally, the Royal Canadian Mint recently debuted the 2012 $10 RMS Titanic Fine Silver Coin.

All three silver commemorative coins contain different Titanic imagery emblematic of the majestic passenger ship to honor those who perished aboard her and are available now from their respective minting facilities.

RMS Titanic (Brief History)

The RMS Titanic was operated by the White Star Line and set sail on her maiden voyage from Southampton on April 10, 1912. Aboard the vessel were over 1,300 passengers and approximately 900 crew. The Titanic was billed as being the largest ship afloat at the time and fitted for comfort like no other ship before her. She carried with her many influential people of the day as well as hundreds of emigrants.

Four days into the maiden voyage at approximately 11:40 PM, the Titanic struck an iceberg about 375 miles south of Newfoundland. Over the next two and a half hours the ship took on water through buckled hull plates caused by the collision. Unfortunately, the Titanic did not carry enough lifeboats for all those aboard and an estimated 1,517 people perished as the ship sank to the bottom of the frigid Atlantic in the early hours of April 15.

Perth Mint’s 2012 $1 RMS Titanic Silver Proof Commemorative Coin

Marking the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the Perth Mint of Australia has issued the 2012 $1 RMS Titanic Silver Proof Coin. This coin is struck from one ounce of 99.9% pure silver and contains a colorized image of the ship by Aleysha Howarth.

The Perth strikes each 40.60 mm coin as legal tender of the island nation of Tuvalu with a face value of 1 dollar. A mintage cap of 5,000 has been put in place on the coin.

The RMS Titanic Silver Proof Coin is currently available from the Perth Mint of Australia (www.perthmint.com.au) for AUS $97.00. Each coin ships inside a display case with an illustrated shipper and a numbered certificate of authenticity.

UK Royal Mint’s 2012 £5 Titanic 100th Anniversary Silver Proof Commemorative Coin

Appearing from the UK Royal Mint to acknowledge the centennial of the tragic incident is the 2012 £5 Titanic 100th AnniversaryAlderney Silver Proof Coin. This coin features a reverse design by Royal Mint engraver Lee Robert Jones showing the White Star Line ship with the goddess Thane looking down over her.

Struck from .925 sterling silver, the coin is legal tender of the channel island of Alderney with a face value of £5. Both of those features are reflected by inscriptions found on the obverse.

The UK Royal Mint (www.royalmint.com) is currently offering the silver proof coin for £82.50. The strike comes in a black presentation case with a certificate of authenticity indicating the maximum mintage of 7,500.

Royal Canadian Mint’s 2012 $10 RMS Titanic Fine Silver Commemorative Coin

Issuing its own centennial commemorative of the sinking, the Royal Canadian Mint has released the 2012 $10 RMS Titanic Fine Silver Coin. The 34mm coin is struck from 99.99% pure silver with a legal tender face value of CAD $10.

Shown on the reverse of the strike is a design by Yves Bérubé. It depicts the ship sailing on the North Atlantic waters with an iceberg in the foreground.

The Royal Canadian Mint indicates that the proof coin features a maximum mintage of 20,000. Each is encapsulated and presented in a display case along with a numbered certificate and is available now from the Canadian Mint (mint.ca) for CAD $64.95.