What everybody ought to know about the start of the Royal Australian Navy

 Posted by  On This Day, Silver
Jul 102012
 

The Royal Australian Navy is 101 years old today. It was created on 10 July 1911 when King George V granted to the Naval forces of the Australian Commonwealth the title ‘Royal Australian Navy’.

Prior to Australia’s action at Gallipoli in 1915 and subsequently on the Western Front, the RAN was already actively involved in The Great War.

Early Timeline for RAN

  • The RAN becomes a reality as a fighting unit in October 1913 when the Fleet, comprising HMAS Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra, enters Sydney Harbour for the first time.
  • With the outbreak of war, Australian ships counter the threat posed by von Spee’s German East Asiatic Cruiser Squadron, which will depart the region leaving just SMS Emden to harass commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean.
  • The RAN takes part in Australia’s first ever battle as a sovereign nation – the Battle of Bita Paka on the island of New Britain. Part of the invasion and subsequent occupation of German New Guinea, it targets a strategically important radio station.
  • Able Seaman William Williams from Melbourne becomes Australia’s first fatality of World War I during the 11 September 1914 attack.
  • Australia’s first naval loss of the War occurs on 15 September 1914 with the disappearance of submarine AE1 with all hands while on patrol near East New Britain.
  • The first ANZAC convoy departs for Europe from Albany, Western Australia on 1 November 1914.
  • The light cruiser HMAS Sydney breaks away from the convoy to engage the German raider Emden off Cocos Island on 9 November 1914 – resulting in the first sea victory of the First World War and Australia’s first naval victory.

100 Years of the Royal Australian Navy 1oz Silver Proof Coin and Badge Set

Issued in celebration of the RAN’s centenary in 2011, this limited coin and badge set remains available from The Perth Mint.

200th Anniversary of the War of 1812:
How USS Constitution became ‘Old Ironsides’

 Posted by  On This Day, Silver
Jun 182012
 

Silver coin pays tribute to America’s ‘Ship of State’

On 18 June 1812, the young United States declared war on the greatest power in the world – Great Britain. The two and a half year War of 1812, also referred to as the United States’ “Second War of Independence”, forged the destiny of the continent for 200 years.

One of the most remarkable stories of the War was that of the three-masted wooden frigate USS Constitution. To the surprise of both the Americans and the British she defeated four English warships, earning each of her three captains a congressional gold medal.

Shot rebounded harmlessly off Constitution's hull during her exchange with Guerriere in August 1812.

Although historians judge these victories to have had minimal impact on the eventual outcome, they ended the myth of invincibility surrounding the Royal Navy. Returning to Boston after each successful encounter, USS Constitution and her crew were publicly extolled, and her reputation grew into the American national icon that she remains to this day.

In August 1812, during a 35-minute duel with HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia, USS Constitution won her famous moniker. Observing cannonballs fired by the British ship bouncing harmlessly off her 25-inch oak hull, an incredulous sailor cried out, “Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!”

Less than five months later, “Old Ironsides” sank a smaller and faster adversary, HMS Java, off the coast of Brazil.

Her final quarries of the War were HMS Cyane and HMS Levant, defeated near Madeira in February 1815.

Despite numerous subsequent victories, Old Ironsides never fired a round in combat again. Today, she holds the honour of being the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat and was designated America’s ‘Ship of State’ in 2009.

(Source and further reading: Constitution: America’s Ship of State)

Ships That Changed The World - USS Constitution 2012 1oz Silver Proof Coin

ON THIS DAY: Jutland – history’s biggest ever naval battle

 Posted by  On This Day, Silver
May 312012
 

Silver coin marks clash of mighty WWI fleets

The Battle of Jutland was history’s biggest ever naval battle. Involving 250 ships, the fighting took place in the North Sea on 31 May 1916 between the British Grand Fleet, commanded by Admiral Jellicoe, and the German High Seas Fleet, under Admiral Scheer.

Battle began when a task force of German ships lured Britain’s battle cruiser fleet out of Rosyth on the Firth of Forth and into the path of Scheer’s main group. Realising that they were victims of a trap, the surviving British ships retreated northwards.

Unfortunately for Scheer, Jellicoe’s battleship squadrons had also put to sea from Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands and were now approaching their damaged battle cruiser fleet, which had the entire German flotilla on its tail.

With full-scale confrontation unavoidable, the two huge navies fought an intense battle in which 14 British and 11 German ships were sunk. Thousands of men perished during the terrible encounter. Although Germany claimed Jutland as a victory, in reality Britain’s command of the North Sea remained in tact.

HMS Iron Duke and (inset) The Perth Mint's 2011 Battle of Jutland 1oz silver proof coin.

A recent Perth Mint issue from the Famous Naval Battles Series commemorated the Battle of Jutland with a portrayal of the legendary HMS Iron Duke, which served as the flagship of the Grand Fleet during World War I. Suffering no damage herself at Jutland, Iron Duke inflicted heavy punishment on the German battleship König.

Perfect timing! Perth Mint launches Cutty Sark coin as famous ship re-opens in London

 Posted by  Silver
May 032012
 

Five years after Cutty Sark was ravaged by fire, the much-loved sailing ship re-opened in Greenwich last week following a $78 million restoration project.

The sleek-lined clipper was built in 1869 in Scotland for the tea trade, an intensely competitive race across the globe from China to London.

Cutty Sark waits in Sydney Harbour for Australian wool.

But the opening of the Suez Canal and rise of steam shipping cut short the age of the great China tea clippers.

In 1883, Cutty Sark began a new phase of her career, finding an edge in transporting wool from Australia to Britain.

Taking a dangerous southerly course to catch the strong westerly winds of the Roaring Forties, Cutty Sark dodged icebergs and fought gales to achieve her extraordinary times. In 1885 she set a record of just 73 days for the passage from Sydney to London.

As the last of the tea clippers, Cutty Sark is a unique reminder of the fastest sailing ships once famous around the globe. As people in Britain celebrate her renewal, it is serendipitous that Ships That Changed The World should wrap-up this month with a superb silver coin commemorating her legendary status and important role in Australian history.

Cutty Sark 2012 1oz Silver Proof Coin

May 2012 New Coins Out Today

 Posted by  Base Metal, Gold, Silver
May 012012
 

Marilyn Monroe™ is the subject of a special silver commemorative released this month, with the coin’s reverse design sure to captivate her fans.

The final coin in the Ships That Changed The World series celebrates the Cutty Sark. This wonderful vessel, reopened in April 2012, can still be seen at Greenwich, London in her restored glory.

For lovers of tradition, it is hard to ignore the 2012 Perth Mint Gold Proof Australian Sovereign. It might be that this prestigious release is that special gift you’ve been looking for?

Of keen interest to our young collectors will be the release of the next Animal Athletes coin featuring the incredible Monarch Butterfly – the migration of this butterfly is a natural wonder.

These are just some of the great new releases celebrated this month.

  • Marilyn Monroe™
    2012 1oz Silver Proof Coin
  • 2012 Perth Mint Proof Australian Sovereign
  • Ships That Changed The World – Cutty Sark
    2012 1oz Silver Proof Coin
  • Dragons of Legend – Chinese Dragon
    2012 1oz Silver Proof Coin
  • Australia Kookaburra
    2012 1oz Silver Proof High Relief Coin
  • Australia Koala
    2012 5oz Silver Proof Coin
  • Australia Koala
    2012 1oz Gilded Edition
  • Young Collectors – 2012 Animal Athletes
    Monarch Butterfly $1 Coin

For comprehensive details please visit our Recent Releases webpage.

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