As is typical, a day after we went live with our look at a pair of Titanic anniversary coins, another interesting issue was released, this time by MDM in Germany. It’s a cool piece, worthy of coverage, so while the topic is still fresh in our minds, here it is. This is a five ounce silver issue, and fits into that increasingly popular category of shaped coins, which have become hugely popular over the last few years, encompassing an expansive range of subjects.

We particularly like this one, affording us a perspective view of the whole ship, just at the moment it seems to be striking the iceberg that sent it to its watery grave. It does employ some colouring, which MDM describe as a ‘high-end colour varnish’, but in a very subtle and unobtrusive way, basically just the black tips on the funnels, and the pale blue iceberg. The rendering of the ship itself, looks quite outstanding, full of fine detail, and exhibiting excellent perspective. It’s over 100 mm wide and almost 50 mm high, so a large coin.

The obverse carries a full width, cleanly struck map of the route, including the site of the sinking, also detailed in numeric form. It fits the shape of the coin perfectly, and we particularly like the addition of the Great Lakes in North America, to break up what would have been an expanse of undetailed space. Even the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II sits within a compass rose. It’s all very attractive.

The mintage is set at 750 units, and each proof-like coin comes boxed with a gatefold Certificate of Authenticity.  It should be available to pre-order now, with shipping around the middle of the third quarter.