Enamelled kilo silver coin from Benin remembers the wreck of the RMS Titanic.

Taking a look at some of the more unusual coins that have been released recently, we’re kicking off with a hefty kilo chunk of fine silver from European producer AllCollect. Known mainly for their Golden Enigma gilded and ruthenium-plated bullion coins, and for their Masterpieces of Art and Windows of Heaven series, AllCollect have long been one of those companies that likes to experiment with numismatic design.

The key modification for this new coin is an enamel finish over the reverse face of this 100mm diameter piece. The main artwork is a depiction of the wreck of this ultra-famous passenger vessel that struck an iceberg in 1912 and sunk with the loss of around 1500 lives, an exact number never having been fully determined. The wreck was discovered in over 3,700 metres (12,000 feet) of water, split in two and heavily degraded, in September 1985 by a Franco-American team. The dark blue finish is designed to simulate the look of being in the deep sea.

The obverse carries the same artwork, the Titanic’s wrecked bow, but this time with an antiqued finish. A poignant inscription sits at the top, and a small mini-coin carrying the emblem of the Republic of Benin and the denomination is placed near the bottom. Packaging is nicely realised, a high-quality box with a porthole-style viewing window in the lid is one of the better ones we’ve seen recently. Selling for around €2,700 Euro, this isn’t a bargain affair, but it’s to be expected when you realise there will be only 99 of these produced. Very much a niche item, it does seem to be a fitting tribute. One of our advertisers, PowerCoin, currently has the coin for €200 less than retail. It should ship around the middle of this month.

MINTS DESCRIPTION: The wreck of the RMS Titanic is located about 370 miles (600 km) south-southeast of the coast of Newfoundland, lying at a depth of about 12,500 feet (3,800m). The wreckage is too fragile to be raised because its condition has deteriorated in the century it has spent on the sea bottom, and the deterioration has increased since its discovery. This coin will be issued because it is designated as a World Heritage.