RMS Titanic sailed into an iceberg (and into history) one hundred years ago, in the greatest maritime tragedy ever!

IN-HAND & AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT!

The centennial of the most famous ocean liner ever built - and the greatest maritime tragedy in history - are commemorated by this unique coin. The largest ship in the world at the time, on Sunday, April 14, 1912, RMS Titanic sailed into an iceberg in the frigid North Atlantic, and into history. One of the most compelling stories ever told, the tale of the sinking of Titanic has never ceased to fascinate in the hundred years since her demise, and the locating of her water grave and removal of artifacts has only increased her notoriety - as did the 1997 Academy Award winning film! Remember one of the most famous events of the 20th century with this superb numismatic treasure, struck in pure silver, a finely detailed and engraved image of the great ship as she steams westward on her tragic maiden voyage. The icy waters of the North Atlantic part, while the iceberg that sealed Titanic’s fate lurks in the foreground. The design also features a map of the Atlantic coast of Canada and the nautical coordinates at which Titanic sank.

The following coins are part of the Royal Canadian Mint's Titanic 100th Anniversary Program:

    Titanic Crown-Sized Color Quarter with Color
    Titanic Crown-Sized Silver-Plated Half Dollar with Color
    Titanic $10 Pure Silver Proof

Click here for all coins commemorating the ocean liner RMS Titanic!

Maritime Tragedy of Epic Proportions
The RMS Titanic was a passenger liner that struck an iceberg in the north Atlantic Ocean on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, United States, and sank on 15 April 1912, resulting in the deaths of 1,517 people in one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history. Titanic was designed by experienced engineers, using some of the most advanced technologies and extensive safety features of the time. That she sank on her maiden voyage and that many lives were lost resulted in a media protest which led to changes in maritime law. It also made Titanic go down in history as the "unsinkable ship", a symbol of human arrogance and the limitations of technology.

The largest passenger steamship in the world at the time, the Olympic-class Royal Mail Ship RMS Titanic was owned by the White Star Line. After setting sail for New York City on 10 April 1912 with 2,223 people on board, she hit an iceberg four days into the crossing, at 11:40 pm on 14 April 1912, and sank at 2:20 in the morning of 15 April. The ship did not sail into the iceberg head-on, but rather suffered a glancing blow in a maneuver trying to avoid it. In addition, the iceberg did not open her plates like a can opener but rather tore them apart in the riveted joints. Titanic had been designed to survive a head-on collision that would flood the first four of her water tight compartments or a collision from another ship that would ram her in the middle and flood maximum two compartments. However, this long opening in the hull was not foreseen and the crew soon realized that the ship was going to sink.

The high casualty rate was due in part to the fact that, although complying with the regulations of the time, the ship carried lifeboats for only 1,178 people. A disproportionate number of men died due to the "women and children first" protocol that was enforced by the ship's crew. This procedure meant that many boats were only half filled. Since the sea was calm, it would have been safe to fill all boats to capacity and thereby rescue an additional 500 persons. Further, only a few were picked up from the water after the sinking out of fear of the boats being overfilled or capsizing. Another factor that contributed to the high death rate was the failure of the nearby ship Californian to come to the rescue even though Titanic was within sight. In the end it was S.S. Carpathia which came to the rescue and picked up the 710 survivors from the lifeboats, but not until two hours after Titanic had already gone down.

In the aftermath of the sinking, the White Star Line's chairman, J. Bruce Ismay, was criticized for having left the ship while there were still passengers on board who could have been saved and the same was the case for the captain of Californian for failing to assist the sinking ship. In navigation, the disaster led to new safety regulations regarding the number of lifeboats needed, to provide room for everyone on board. Furthermore, wireless telegraphs were to be manned at all hours to make sure a ship could be called to assistance. Since the sinking, the memory of her has been kept alive by books and films. Though the wreck itself has never been recovered, nearly 6,000 artifacts have been lifted from Titanic and are on exhibition today. Memorials of the victims have also been created, mostly in towns associated with the ship and her people.

Click here for the more coins featuring ships!

Technology Note
The Royal Canadian Mint refines the purest silver in the world. The RCM is also the only mint in the world to issue commemorative coins in a .9999 fineness. This silver proof coin is 99.99% pure!

Click here for more great pure silver coins!

Obverse
Designed by Canadian artist Yves Bérubé, a finely detailed image of the great ship Titanic as she steams westward on her tragic maiden voyage. North Atlantic waters part as the iceberg that sealed Titanic’s fate lurks in the foreground. The design also features a map of the Atlantic coast of Canada and the nautical coordinates at which Titanic sank. The legend R.M.S. TITANIC denotes the theme. The date and denomination are also indicated.

Reverse
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian Coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend The legend ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA ("Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God") also appears.

Click here for all coins commemorating the ocean liner RMS Titanic!

The coin is encapsulated inside a burgundy leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and protected by a black outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.

Specifications