Silver Three Ounces 2023 Nautical Ounce - Great Eastern, Coin from Rwanda - detailed information

The Rwandan Franc was introduced as the currency of Rwanda in 1964. Apart from its regular circulating coinage, the country has also authorised some foreign mints to issue coins under its jurisdiction, which come in a variety of sizes - including in the large three troy ounces (3 oz) of silver format, denominated usually as 1,000 Francs. These coins are Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) and not bullion, because they are issued at prices significantly above the intrinsic value of the precious metal they are made of.

This coin is part of the Rwandan Nautical Ounce series which features a new reverse design every year, and commemorates the Great Eastern ship.

SS Great Eastern was an iron sail-powered, paddle wheel and screw-propelled steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by John Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames, London, England. She was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refueling. Her length of 211 m was surpassed only in 1899 by the RMS Oceanic, her gross tonnage of 18,915 was only surpassed in 1901 by the RMS Celtic and her 4,000-passenger capacity was surpassed in 1913 by the 4,234-passenger SS Imperator. The ship having five funnels (which were later reduced to four) was unusual for the time. The vessel also had the largest set of paddle wheels.

Brunel knew her affectionately as the "Great Babe". He died in 1859 shortly after her maiden voyage, during which she was damaged by an explosion. After repairs, she plied for several years as a passenger liner between Britain and North America before being converted to a cable-laying ship and laying the first lasting transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866. Finishing her life as a floating music hall and advertising hoarding (for the department store Lewis's) in Liverpool, she was broken up on Merseyside in 1889.