2012 Titanic Commemorative Coins from World Mints

The year 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Various mints around the world have marked the occasion with the issuance of commemorative coins.

As opposed to the United States Mint, world mints generally have much greater latitude in deciding which people, places, animals, or events will be commemorated on their coins. Therefore when there is an anniversary for an event of world-wide significance, there tend to be many issues from world mints carrying the same theme.

This post will provide an overview of various 2012 Titanic Commemorative Coins from around the world. This includes coins coverage at Coin Update, as well as others mentioned by readers. If I have left any others out, please let me know in comments.

Royal Canadian Mint

Designed by maritime artist Yves Bérubé, the reverse design of the coin features a view of the bow and port side of the Titanic along with the imposing image of a large iceberg.  A design also incorporates a map of the Canadian Atlantic coast and the nautical coordinates of where the ship sank. The coins are limited to a mintage of 20,000 pieces.

The Royal Canadian Mint has also produced a silver plated copper 50 cent coin, limited to 15,000, and a 25 cent coin with no stated limit. The 50 cent coin has a diameter of 42 mm (which is wider than the 34 mm diameter of the $10 silver coin). The 25 cent coin includes an illustrated folder with facts and a time line.

Coin Update News

Perth Mint – Tuvalu

The design for the Perth Mint’s coin features an image of the Titanic as it was seen on an original White Star Line’s poster. The coin is issued as legal tender under the authority of the government of Tuvalu.

Each coin is struck in one troy ounce of .999 silver. The mintage limit is 5,000.

Coin Update News

Pobjoy Mint – Isle of Man

These coins are produced by the Pobjoy Mint for the Isle of Man government. The design above features passengers boarding the ship at the docks.

A second coin depicts the Titanic at sea with an iceberg in the foreground. Each coin is issued in cupro-nickel or sterling silver. The silver versions are struck in proof quality with mintages of 10,000 each.

Coin Update News

Royal British Mint – Alderney

This coin is produced by the Royal Mint and issued under the authority of the Channel Island of Alderney. The design features a profile of the Titanic with a rendition of Thane (from the Titanic Memorial in Belfast, Northern Ireland) looking down on the ship. The coin is available in sterling silver proof with a limit of 7,500, or curpo-nickel version in FDC quality.

Coin Update News

New Zealand Mint – Niue

Image: Apmex

Struck by the New Zealand Mint for the island country of Niue, the coins feature a colored image of the Titanic on the open ocean. Apparently, APMEX had exclusive access to the entire mintage of 2,229 coins minted, one for each passenger on the Titanic.

APMEX product page

Cook Islands

This coin from the Cook Islands “Windows of History” series is struck in sterling silver with a weight of 50 grams and wide diameter of 50 mm. It features a depiction of the Titanic and looming iceberg with a piece of stained glass included in the coin. This was inspired by the stained glass window dome over the Grand Staircase of the Titanic. The mintage is limited to 1,912 coins.

Fiji

This coin from the Republic of Fiji Islands contains 5 troy ounces of .999 silver with an inner core of Mother of Pearl, which contains the image of the Titanic. The mintage was limited to 750 coins.

Vote for your Favorite 2012 Titanic Commemorative Coin

In the poll below you can vote for your favorite 2012 Titanic Coin. In order to keep things on an even playing field, I have only included basic silver coins (i.e. no embedded elements) with a depiction of the Titanic on the ocean. The poll will remain open for one week.

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BEFORE YOU COMMENT:

  1. World Mint News Blog is not a retail website. If you wish to buy a coin or banknote, you should contact a reputable dealer. One of our sponsors (see ads at left and top of page) may also have what you’re looking for, so be sure to check out their websites.
  2. Per policy, we do not advise on the value, authenticity, or rarity of readers’ coins and banknotes. For this kind of assistance, you should contact a reputable dealer, preferably one who’s certified by the American Numismatic Association and/or the Professional Numismatists Guild.
  3. Vulgar and/or abusive comments will not be tolerated. Nor will trolls.
  4. Allegations of fraudulent or criminal activity against a named party, when said activity has not been proven in a court of law, will be removed.

Comments

  1. says

    Re: Distributors…as I mentioned there are four “wholesale” distributors. You will also see about 27 “retail” US distributors listed including Talisman, Gainesville, Downies and MCM to name a few.

  2. Anil says

    I thing it depends on the number of distrubutors for the royal mint Olympic 1 kg silver coin I had to pay $5950.00 which I thought over priced as govmint was the only place selling them. I alway like coins which are not graded as I like to see them in original packaging but I could not get one so had to pay $$ for MS69. Now govmint with all good intentions called me to see if I was going to buy the kg dragon from Perth mint for $2900.00 for MS70. So I searched in Perth mint and purchased it. I guess I should asked you guys before jumping into it. But bottom I really liked the Olympic coin but I guess I should like it after spending so much on it.

  3. Eric The Red says

    I just received my 10 Dollar Canadian Titanic by maritime artist Yves Bérubé and the sample photo does not do this coin justice. The ship, iceberg, sea and background all have different textures to them and look terrific. I don’t normally get this excited about the finish on a coin but this coin is exceptionally nice. I initially thought it was over priced at almost $80.00 US with shipping but now I wish I bought two.

  4. Matt says

    Mike,

    As a Merchant Mariner, this commemoration in my eyes is truly wonderful. It’s nice to see those perished individuals honored in some fashion and what brilliant ways that these various mints have done so.

  5. Samuel says

    Off topic,
    why it is so difficult to buy something from Downies! First, Downies asked me for passport etc, after I sent my credit card copy etc, they were satisfied. Second, now, my credit card company thought it is a fraudulent transaction, and denied the charge. I have to call Downies, I am not sure they still holding the coins for me or not.

  6. John C says

    Did anyone notice that there are four plumes of smoke coming from the titanic on the Figi mother of pearl coin? I think the last stack on the ship was a dummy stack that was installed just for looks.

  7. Schalk says

    Canadian Titanic $10 Silver coin is now available from MCM for $99.00 as an NGC PF70 UCAM ER – not too bad if one considers that it will cost more than $20 to have the coin graded without the guarantee that it will be graded as a 70. The coin is now sold out on the RCM site.

  8. SmallPotatos says

    Eric,
    I ordered my Canadian Titanic coin on the 7th, and haven’t recieved anything yet. when did you place your order?

  9. John C says

    I am really surprised that these Canadian coins sold out so fast. Who are all the people that bought the CLAD half on the first day? The $10 coin was at least silver and a good looking coin so I can almost believe it sold out already but the half has me totally puzzled. I purchased several of the Niue Titanic coins and am very pleased with the quality of the coin and packaging. To me this coin has way more going for it than the Canadian coins with the higher mintages and less intrinsic value. I am actually surprised that these coins have not sold out yet. I am guessing they will be gone before May since all the news networks will be talking about the 100th anniversary of the sinking in April. Plus the 3d movie is out and who knows what other hoopla will come out. Just my thoughts.

  10. SmallPotatos says

    John C – i think the 50 cent clad was only 15,000 coins and coloured, and the 10 dollar silver was 20,000 with no color. i personally liked the colour on the 50 cent piece, but it was sold out before i knew about them.

  11. Schalk says

    The 50 cent clad coloured was still available from Downies, last time I looked, for around $36.00.

  12. SmallPotatos says

    Eric – I logged on to RCM website, and checked my order. Here is what is posted:

    “Notice :
    Due to high demand, we expect delays in the shipment of your collector card until mid-March to mid-April.”

    I ordered on the 7th, and they did not indicate a sell out at that time. I wonder what the delay might be?

  13. jeff72 says

    John C says:
    March 14, 2012 at 12:12 am
    I am really surprised that these Canadian coins sold out so fast. Who are all the people that bought the CLAD half on the first day? The $10 coin was at least silver and a good looking coin so I can almost believe it sold out already but the half has me totally puzzled. I purchased several of the Niue Titanic coins and am very pleased with the quality of the coin and packaging. To me this coin has way more going for it than the Canadian coins with the higher mintages and less intrinsic value. I am actually surprised that these coins have not sold out yet. I am guessing they will be gone before May since all the news networks will be talking about the 100th anniversary of the sinking in April. Plus the 3d movie is out and who knows what other hoopla will come out. Just my thoughts.

    jeff72: John …exactly my thoughts as well.

  14. Frankie says

    If anyone couldn’t get hold of the Canadian Titanic $10 coin – APMEX have 175 in stock at $64.99, Talismancoins has them at $64.95, and Gatewestcoins for $58.95 which is a steal. RCM shows them as “Temporarily out of stock” with the note that 83% of the mintage has been sold already; i.e. they have some 3400 left. They had them back for sale sporadically during the weekend, but a sell-out is imminent.
    Downies/Eurocollections still have the 50c-colorized coin for $38.50 which is sold-out anywhere else.
    Oh, APMEX raised the price for the Niue Titanic coin by $20! With them being the sole distributor, I think that’s called gouging… They certainly lost my business now.

  15. SmallPotatos says

    RCM now says the $10 coin is “Temporarily out of stock”.

    Is it sold out, or not??

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