Silver Ounce 2019 Batavia Shipwreck, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian one ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products.

Both mints endeavour to create coins with attractive designs, and to introduce new designs and themes often, in order to raise the numismatic value of the coins over the value of previous metal used.

The 2019 Batavia triangular one-ounce silver coin is the first release in the Australian Shipwreck series; the coins were issued in Brilliant Uncirculated grade.

The ill-fated Batavia, one of Australia’s oldest shipwrecks, is depicted on these magnificent gold and silver triangular investment coins as the first in the series of four. The design depicts the harrowing story of the Batavia’s wreck and the events that followed. The exquisite design of the reverse conveys two scenes to communicate the journey of the Batavia. With the image of the ship viewed upright, the Batavia is shown setting sail in its full glory. Flipping the coin to view the text of "1629" and "Batavia" upright depicts the ship in its final state capsized shortly after wrecking in 1629. The border encompassing the main design also incorporates unique design elements from the Batavia. The obverse design depicts the fighting between the survivors as a result of the mutiny and the Batavia before its ultimate demise.

In June 1629, the Dutch East India Company’s (VOC) vessel, Batavia, was sailing from the Netherlands to Batavia (Jakarta), when it struck a reef off the coast of Western Australia and was wrecked. Most survivors were able to swim to nearby Beacon Island, and the ship’s Commander Francisco Pelsaert took 47 crew and a longboat on a gruelling journey to Batavia to seek help.

Unknown to Pelseart, the Batavia had been threatened with a mutinous plot led by Undermerchant Jeronimus Cornelisz. Assuming leadership, Cornelisz and his supporters set about eliminating any opposition by murdering the survivors. A total of 125 men, women and children were killed. On Pelsaert’s return the mutineers were arrested: seven were hanged and two marooned on the mainland, making them Australia’s first recorded European settlers.

The wreck of the Batavia was discovered in 1963 and sections of its hull and other artefacts are on display at the Western Australian Maritime Museum. The Batavia, Australia’s second-oldest shipwreck, is an unparalleled tale of the darkest side of human nature.