2019-08-21 Wed

The Royal Australian Mint released a new triangular coin depicting the second-oldest shipwreck in the country, Batavia. The obverse side depicts an Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark along with an illustration that highlights the battle between the mutineers and soldiers on the ship. The reverse side depicts Batavia sailing through the sea along with its title that’s placed upside down. These are Australia’s first-ever triangular investment coins. Only 250 gold and 20,000 silver coins have been released. The Gold coin comes along with a Certificate of Authenticity. These Australian legal tender coins are exclusively sold by LPM Group Limited.

The Dutch East India Company’s ship, Batavia collided with a reef near the shores of Western Australia in June 1629 when it was sailing from the Netherlands to Batavia (Jakarta). Most of the sailors swam and reached Beacon Island. Commander, Francisco Pelsaert and a crew of 47 members used a longboat to reach Batavia and ask for help.

Undermerchant Jeronimus Cornelisz was planning a mutiny on the ship. Cornelisz and his men killed all those who opposed him, including 125 men, women and children. When Pelsaert came back, the mutineers were arrested. Seven were hanged and two became Australia’s first settlers from Europe as per records. The wreck was found in 1963 and the Western Australian Maritime Museum showcases some parts of its hull and other interesting objects.

Image Courtesy: The Royal Australian Mint