Metals such as bronze, copper, silver and gold had long been used to make coins, but in the late 1980s the small country of Bermuda upped the ante with two palladium coins. The collectible coins featured famous shipwrecks on them. The Bermuda palladium shipwreck coins, produced in 1987 and in 1988, represented a relatively unusual occurrence in the numismatic world. The shipwrecks on their reverse sides still appeal to many types of coin collectors, and the pieces were made in small enough numbers that finding them is still a fun hunt.
Bermuda Palladium Shipwreck Coins: Details
Whether you are looking to own both coins or only one, here are some details you should keep in mind when browsing the sales listings of online Bermuda coin dealers.
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The Sea Venture Coin
The 1987 Bermuda palladium shipwreck coin featured the British vessel Sea Venture. She was lost in 1609, and became the inspiration for William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. The Sea Venture palladium coin has a face value of $25. Only 15,800 pieces were minted.
The San Antonio Coin
The 1988 Bermudan palladium proof coin featured the San Antonio, a boat which wrecked in 1621. This coin’s design actually shows the violent moment of capsize, unlike the calmer Sea Venture coin. The San Antonio coin too was valued at $25 on its face. A mere 2,000 were minted.
Buying Bermuda Palladium Shipwreck Coins Today
Both palladium coins from Bermuda are occasionally seen for sale in the marketplace, although finding both (or even a single one) can take some time if you are trying to limit your spending. If money is less of an object for you, it may be easier but could still take some time to find the exact specimens you want.
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Some collectors want not only Bermuda’s palladium coins, but its silver and gold proof coins as well. The good thing about the shipwreck proofs is that not only are they numismatically interesting, but they have great appeal to any collectors of nautical collectibles and lovers of the sea. Coin buyers should monitor sales listings closely and watch for the latest palladium shipwreck coins as they are listed.