The Perth Mint has launched a new silver coin series entitled "Famous Ships That Never Sailed" which features ships from legend and literature. This makes an interesting accompaniment to the previous series "Ships That Changed the World".

The first coin features the Flying Dutchman, a legendary ghost ship that was doomed to sail the seas for eternity. When sighted, the ship is seen in a ghostly glow and is believed to be a portent of doom. The reverse design depict the Flying Dutchman floating above a rough sea amid lightning.

The second coin features the Pequod from Herman Melville's classic novel Moby Dick. The ship is commanded by Captain Ahab in his obsessive pursuit of the white whale Moby Dick. The reverse design of the coin carries a depiction of the Pequod and the white whale.

Both coins are issued as legal tender under the authority of hte Government of Tuvalu, with the obverse carrying the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, along with the monetary denomination and "2013″ date.

Struck in 1 troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver to proof quality, the coins have a diameter of 40.60 mm. The mintage is limited to just 3,000 per coin. Each comes packaged in a wooden display case in the shape of a book, along with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

To read the complete article, see:Famous Ships That Never Sailed: Flying Dutchman & Pequod(world.mintnewsblog.com/2013/05/famous-ships-that-never-sailed-flying-dutchman-pequod/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:SHIPS ON AMERICAN COINAGE(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n18a22.html)