Description

Genuine Treasure coins from the wreck of the Elingamite in New Zealand waters 1902.

"Carrying bullion to the (then) value of 17,320 pounds sterling and 194 passengers and crew, the "Elingamite" was nearing the end of her passage from Sydney to Auckland on the morning of November 9th, 1902. A heavy fog cloaked the "Three Kings Islands". Engines at half speed, look-out straining into the whiteness, two and a half thousand tons of steel piled headlong into West Island. Within twenty minutes she was lying on the rocks 150 feet below."

This wreck claimed 45 lives, and was one of the most terrible in New Zealand's history.

By early 1907 some 4,000 pounds of the bullion has been raised. But after two years, the two divers had died of the Bends from working at this considerable depth, the remaining treasure was abandoned as hopeless.

In 1966 a group of divers revisited the wreck with more advanced equipment and understanding of the dangers involved, they salvaged 10,000 more coins.

This set is one of 500 sets, and comprises of the following coins. Half Crown 1900, Florin 1900 and Shilling 1876.