Following
the success of the 2008 H.M.A.V. Bounty series, The Pitcairn Islands
Philatelic Bureau is pleased to be able to offer a new gilded 1oz
silver coin featuring the Captain of the Bounty, Lieutenant William
Bligh.
The Obverse.
The
obverse of the coin features the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II, sovereign of the Commonwealth and Pitcairn Island,
along with the year '2009' and the denomination of NZ$2.00
The Reverse.
The reverse of this coin features a gilded image of
Captain William Bligh with the HMAV Bounty and the Pitcairn Islands in
the background. This is surrounded by a finely engraved border and
plaque.
The Bounty was sent by the British Royal Navy to the
Pacific to fetch bread fruit for transport to the West Indies where it
was to be used as cheap food for slaves. The infamous mutiny took place
in 1789 after the ships crew had become used to the good life in
Tahiti, rebelling soon after leaving the Society Islands.
Following
the mutiny, commanding officer William Bligh and 22 loyal sailors were
set adrift in a 7m longboat. A brilliant navigator, Bligh guided the
small open boat 3,618 nautical miles to land in Timor after a 47-day
voyage.
Lieutenant Bligh returned to Britain and was cleared of
all responsibility for the mutiny. Bligh worked his way through the
ranks to that of Captain and in 1805 was appointed Governor of New
South Wales, eventually being promoted to Vice Admiral.
The
Pitcairn Islands are halfway between New Zealand and South America and
were the historic first port of call for the Bounty mutineers following
the famous mutiny. The sailors and their cohorts had 'rediscovered' the
islands which had been 'mislaid' on Admiralty Charts.
The
Bounty was burnt and sunk in Bounty Bay to avoid attracting attention
to the small colony of Tahitians and Englishmen. To this day the island
remains populated by descendants of some of the original mutineers and
those people they brought with them from Tahiti.
Presentation
This
1oz gilded silver coin is presented in a wooden case fashioned in the
form of a sea chest. Each coin comes complete with a certificate of
authenticity issued by New Zealand Mint and has a strictly limited
mintage of only 1,500.
(click
any image to enlarge)
Purchase:Notes:
All prices are in New Zealand Dollars.
Shipping charges to your country will be calculated prior to submitting your order.
Specifications:
| Metal |
.999 Silver |
| Weight |
1 troy oz |
| Diameter |
40.7mm |
| Finish |
Proof
(Gold Gilded) |
| Edge | Milled |
| Issuing Country |
Pitcairn Islands |
| Denomination |
NZ$2.00 |
| Year of Issue | 2009 |
| Mintage |
1,500 |
 "Bligh Coin Obverse")
The Obverse. "Bligh Coin Reverse")
The reverse of this coin features a gilded image of
Captain William Bligh with the HMAV Bounty and the Pitcairn Islands in
the background. This is surrounded by a finely engraved border and
plaque. "Bligh Coin box")
The
Bounty was burnt and sunk in Bounty Bay to avoid attracting attention
to the small colony of Tahitians and Englishmen. To this day the island
remains populated by descendants of some of the original mutineers and
those people they brought with them from Tahiti.
Click to buy