The Vergulde Draeck is the second release in the four coin of the Royal Australian Mint‘s Australian Shipwreck series. For the first time in bullion, the series will feature coins that are triangular-shaped in size.

The Gilt Dragon follows on from the popular first release in the series featuring the Batavia.

The design depicts the harrowing story of the Vergulde Draeck’s wreck and the events that followed. These products are both a stunning investment and a commemoration of Australia’s maritime heritage.

The History of the Vergulde Draeck!

In 1656, a VOC ship called the Vergulde Draeck, travelling towards Batavia (now Jakarta) with a load of trade goods, coins, cargo, passengers and crew, struck an uncharted reef off the coast of Western Australia. The reef gutted the ship and only 75 of the crew survived, including the ship’s captain Pieter Albertszoon, along with a small quantity of provisions and a single boat.

The under steersman, Abraham Leeman, took the boat and six crew on an astonishing and gruelling journey to Batavia and reported the wreck. Several attempts were made to rescue the survivors, but they were never located. The wreck of the Vergulde Draeck was discovered in 1963 and was excavated in 1972. Some 19,000 coins were recovered, mainly Spanish reals and some Japanese silver coins. The mystery of what became of the survivors has never been answered. This was one of the most enigmatic episodes of Australia’s maritime history.