© coinman1 (CC BY)
© coinman1 (CC BY)
1 Crown - Elizabeth II "The Mary Celeste"
1994 year| Copper-nickel | 28.28 g | 38.6 mm |
| Issuer | Gibraltar (British Overseas Territories) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 1994 |
| Value | 1 Crown (0.25) |
| Currency | Crown Coinage (1967-date) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel |
| Weight | 28.28 g |
| Diameter | 38.6 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#71798 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 87% |
Reverse
Cameo of Sherlock Holmes left of masted ship at sea
Script: Latin
Lettering:
100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
THE
MARY
CELESTE
1
CROWN
Edge
Reeded
Comment
Sherlock Holmes, the remarkable detective based in Victorian London, has to be one of the best known and most enduring fictional characters of all time. He wvas first introduced to the public in 1887, in serialised stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The stories were narrated by another fictional character, Dr Watson, who was Holmes' loyal companion and biographer.Conan Doyle managed to inspire such feeling for Holmes in his readers that the character's 'death' in 1894 caused a public outcry. As a consequence, the author felt obliged to 'resurrect' Holmes soon afterwards in a story whose Centenary this set of coins was to commemorate.
Appropriately, Sherlock Holmes was something of a numismatist and is desbribed as owning a collection of coins in ‘The Musgrave Ritual'.
There is also a strong connection with Gibraltar: see coin number 6, 'The Mary Celeste', and the book by Sam Benady 'Sherlock Holmes in Gibraltar – the true solution to the mystery of the –Mary Celeste'. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is also known to have visited the ‘Rock’.
The coins were issued in Cupro Nickel, Sterling Silver and 1/5oz Fine 999.9 Gold. The portrait of Sherlock Holmes was also available in 1/2oz Fine Silver and in CuNi in a colour pack.
The Mary Celeste – The mysterious, deserted ship is depicted on this coin, together with a cameo portrait of Sherlock Holmes. Gibraltar has its own story in relation to the ship – a book by Sam Benady, entitled “Sherlock Holmes in Gibraltar – the true solution to the mystery of the Mary Celeste”.
Interesting fact
The interesting fact about this coin is that it commemorates the mysterious story of the Mary Celeste, a ship that was found abandoned in 1872 with no signs of its crew on board, leading to numerous theories and legends about its fate. The coin's design features an image of the ship, adding to its unique and intriguing nature.
