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Tag Archives: Mary Celeste

Franklin Mint Ingots Feature the Mary Celeste

Franklin Mint Ingots Feature the Mary Celeste

“… having in tow the derelict brigantine Marie Celeste “

J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement 

Between 1973 and 1976, the Franklin Mint issued a 50 ingot set featuring the Greatest Sailing Ships of History. There were actually three different sets available for purchase – a large sterling silver set, and two sets of mini-ingots in sterling silver and 24 karat gold. All sets would come with a wooden display case, a commemorative and the all important Certificate of Authenticity. Naturally, one of the 50 ships is the Mary Celeste.

OBVERSE: (the ship Mary Celeste in full sail) / MARY CELESTE

REVERSE: MARY CELESTE / 1872 /  The half brig “Mary Celeste” became the set- / ting for one of the most fascinating mysteries / in maritime history. In 1872, during a voyage / to the Mediterranean, the vessel was discov- / ered adrift at sea with no one aboard. No trace / of any of those who had sailed on her has ever / been found.

Rectangular, 63.5 mm x 44.45 mm, 1500 grains Sterling Silver

OBVERSE: (the ship Mary Celeste in full sail)

REVERSE: MARY CELESTE

Rectangular, 19 mm x 12.7 mm, 24 karat Gold

Rectangular, 19 mm x 12.7 mm, Sterling Silver

mini-ingots not displayed

The large silver ingot was issued at a price of $25 each and 4,386 ingots were made. The gold mini-ingot had an issue price of $80 and only 109 ingots were issued. At an issue price $3, the silver mini-ingot was the most popular with 18,933 ingots made. Considering how poorly Franklin mint items have done in the secondary market and the rise in bullion prices in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it is likely that many of these ingots have been melted

2013 Niue Ghost Ships Dollar Coin Series Honors the Mary Celeste

2013 Niue Ghost Ships Dollar Coin Series Honors the Mary Celeste

“… having in tow the derelict brigantine Marie Celeste “ – J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement  In 2013, the south Pacific island nation of Niue contracted with NumisCollect to issue a series of silver one dollar coins honoring “ghost ships.” The first coin in the series was the Mary Celeste.  From NumisCollect’s press release: The Mary Celeste (or… Continue Reading

Canada Issues $200 Gold Coin Featuring the Amazon

Canada Issues $200 Gold Coin Featuring the Amazon

“… the derelict Marie Celeste …” – J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement Almost four years before the name Sherlock Holmes was seen in print, Arthur Conan Doyle had published J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement in the January 1884 issue of The Cornhill Magazine. Doyle was one of the first to publish a fictionalized version of the mystery of the ship Mary Celeste, which… Continue Reading

Pobjoy Mint’s 1994 Catalog & Press Release

Pobjoy Mint’s 1994 Catalog & Press Release

“… I would read as easily as I do the apocrypha of the agony column.” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) When I first started collecting coins, I was very intrigued when I could find ephemera (advertising, invoices, order forms, etc.) related to the items in my collection. Not much has changed for me over the… Continue Reading

April HolmeWork Assignment: Gibraltar’s 1994 Golden Sherlock Holmes Coins

April HolmeWork Assignment: Gibraltar’s 1994 Golden Sherlock Holmes Coins

A few weeks back, we published Ed Rochette’s 1995 syndicated column featuring the Pobjoy Mint releasing a series of coins commemorating the Return of Sherlock Holmes. Twenty-four different coins were struck in 3 different metals with 8 different designs. We have photographs of the 8 cupro-nickel Crowns and the 8 .925 fine sterling silver coins.… Continue Reading

Gibraltar Marks The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1995)

Gibraltar Marks The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1995)

Just ask any fan of the world’s first consulting detective. Sherlock Holmes lives! He is alive and well, considering his age, and settled comfortably in Sussex raising bees. If this were not true, why then would the Baker Street Irregulars have celebrated his birthday Jan. 6? To these devotees, Holmes turns 140 and his birthday… Continue Reading