World Gold - 1847 Great Britain Gold Sovereign NGC AU50 Ex.RMS Douro

Here’s a fascinating piece of numismatic history that was rescued from the tragic wreck of the RMS Douro on the sea floor off the coast of Spain. Enthusiasts of British sovereigns should consider adding this example to their collection. NGC has graded 12 as AU50 with 131 finer.

Last Journey of RMS Douro

It was on March 31, 1882, that HMS Douro departed Lisbon after being delayed for about an hour and a half. At 8:30 at night, in order to make up for the delay, she set full steam ahead, northward off the coast of Portugal. April 1 saw her have a full day of clear sailing, passing Cape Finesterre (aka the "Coast of Death") under the light of a full moon.

The sea was a bit rough. A passenger told the Fourth Officer about a ship off in the distance about two miles away. The Officer on the Bridge saw it too late and at 10:45 PM the Douro and the Spanish Steamship Yrurac Bat crashed into each other. The sharp bow of the Yrurac Bat gashed the Douro twice, and then again from the inability of the Spanish ship to move away.

The ship was abandoned promptly and women and children were put on the lifeboats first. Survivors were picked up by the steamer Hidalgo of Hull and brought to La Cornua. It took less than a half hour for the Douro to sink, followed shortly thereafter by the Yrurac Bat.

A total of 59 passengers and crew from both ships lost their lives in this tragic event. Per the seafaring traditions of its day, the Douro's Captain, four of the Senior Officers, and the Chief and Second Officer went down with the ship. There was no attention paid to the riches on board, for the most important thing was to save as many lives as possible.