Centenary of the sinking of the Titanic
In 2012, to mark the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic, the Royal Canadian Mint pushed the boat out with a luxury, one-of-a-kind collector’s set.
The content of this album enchants with its originality, collectible items, and the great care taken in its compilation.
The story
Everyone, or almost everyone, knows the story of the Titanic, thanks at least in part to the global success of James Cameron’s movie... but also, of course, its tragic and terrible fate.
It was on April 10, 1912, during the period of European history known as the Belle Époque (Beautiful Era), that the passenger liner RMS Titanic, operated by the White Star Line and reputedly unsinkable, left the port of Southampton, UK, on her maiden voyage.
On board were 2,220 passengers and crew members.
She would never arrive at her destination.
On the night of Sunday, April 14, at 11:39 p.m., the world’s largest vessel struck an iceberg while sailing off the coast of Newfoundland.
"I urged them to leave their work. They shook their heads and continued... It might have been an inrush of water later that cut off their escape, or it may have been the explosion. I saw them no more."
Albert Theissinger - Steward aboard RMS Titanic and survivor
It would take more than two hours before she finally sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.
Of the 2,220 souls on board, only 700 survived.
The set
The collector’s set was issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the catastrophe.
It is a limited edition collectible with only 10,000 units produced.
Unlike the usual and classic sets intended for collectors, it takes the form of an elegant, leather-bound, embossed album featuring the lettering “TITANIC 1912–2012”.
Inside, the various collectible items are integrated into the album also containing information and stories relating to the liner.
The illustrations and texts are both well executed, with the information being provided in both English and French.
Special features
The plethora of content is sure to thrill history buffs:
An authentic stock certificate issued by the International Mercantile Marine Company, the shipping trust that controlled the White Star Line.
This company has been founded in 1902 by J.P. Morgan and controlled the White Star Line. It constructed in particular three sister ships: the Olympic, Titanic and Britannic. Each certificate is uniquely numbered, with different values.
Two commemorative coins (25 and 50 cents):
- The R.M.S. Titanic - 50 Cent Silver-Plated Coloured Coin (2012)
- The R.M.S. Titanic - 25 Cent Coloured Coin (2012)
25 cents
50 cents
Stamps and postcards:
- A Titanic stamp pane bearing two unique cancels, available only in this set
- 5 commemorative stamps and a reproduction of the cancel used on board the Titanic
- Three Titanic postcards
In short, it is a numismatic and philatelic object sure to enchant enthusiasts with its originality, meticulous design, and plethora of content.
A certificate of authenticity is included in every set.
Translation: Michael Wright
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