2020 1oz .999 Silver Antiqued BU Coin - Australian Shipwreck Series - Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon)

The exquisite design of the reverse conveys two scenes to communicate the journey of the Gilt Dragon. With the image of the ship viewed upright, the Gilt Dragon is shown setting sail in its full glory. Flipping the coin to view the text of ‘1656’ and ‘Vergulde Draeck' upright depicts the ship in its final state capsized shortly after wrecking in 1656. The obverse design depicts scenes from the dramatic story of the Gilt Dragon before its ultimate demise.

A Mint First - first time an antique finish has been applied on a RAM bullion program
Contains 1oz of .999 fine silver
Second release in the four coin antiqued series
Limited mintage of just 1,000 coins worldwide
First triangular-shaped bullion coin in the world
Presented in unique protective triangular capsule

On the morning of 28 April 1656, a VOC ship called the Vergulde Draeck, travelling towards Batavia (now Jakarta) with a load of trade goods, coins, cargo, passengers and crew, struck an uncharted reef off the coast of Western Australia. The reef gutted the ship and only 75 of the crew survived, along with a small quantity of provisions and a single boat.

The under steersman, Abraham Leeman, took the boat and six crew on an astonishing and gruelling journey to Batavia and reported the wreck. Several attempts were made to rescue the survivors, but they were never located. The wreck of the Vergulde Draeck was discovered in 1963 and was excavated in 1972. Some 19,000 coins were recovered, mainly Spanish reals and some Japanese silver coins. The mystery of what became of the survivors of the Vergulde Draeck has never been answered. This was one of the most enigmatic episodes of Australia’s maritime history.