TITANIC Windows of History 100th Anniversary Silver Coin 10$ Cook Islands 2012

TITANIC

FIRST ISSUE OF NEW "WINDOWS OF HISTORY" SERIES

Finish PROOF with a real window inserted !

PLEASE NOTE: The outer paper wrapper is creased & torn from 1 side ~ Does not affect the coin in any way.

This is the first issue in a new series of silver coins called Windows of History, featuring full-color stained glass inserts. In occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Titanic, it features the glass dome overhead the first class staircase allowed the natural sunlight to cast its glow over the polished oak of the wall paneling and the elaborate balustrades.

Held up against the light, the window will become translucent and show the intricate design in full splendor. In addition to the stained glass insert, the reverse also features an image of the Titanic seen from the outside, as well as a the anniversary dates. The obverse depicts also the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

The RMS Titanic was an Olympic-class passenger liner owned by the White Star Line. For her time, she was the largest passenger steamship in the world. 
On the night of 14 April 1912, during her maiden voyage, Titanic hit an iceberg and sank two hours and forty minutes later, early on 15 April 1912. The sinking resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people, making it one of the most deadly peacetime maritime disasters in history. The ship could carry a total of 3,547 passengers and crew and, because she carried mail, her name was given the prefix RMS (Royal Mail Steamer) as well as SS (Steam Ship). 

THE MAIDEN VOYAGE 

The vessel began her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, bound for New York City, New York, on Wednesday, 10 April 1912, with Captain Edward J. Smith in command. 
On the night of Sunday, 14 April 1912, the temperature had dropped to near freezing and the ocean was calm. The moon was not visible and the sky was clear. At 23:40 while sailing, lookouts spotted a large iceberg directly ahead of the ship. The call "Iceberg, straight ahead" received the reply "Thank You" from the bridge. A collision was inevitable and the iceberg brushed the ship's starboard side. 

At the time, the Titanic was the largest moving object on the planet and was touted as being unsinkable with a loss of over 1500 lives. 
The drama of the sinking ship became the subject of many books, technical literature and speculation. Numerous movies have been made about the tragic event, spreading the myth of the Titanic around the world. In September 1985, oceanographer Robert Ballard located the wreck of the Titanic at a latitude 41°44' North and a longitude of 49°55' West, in a depth of 12,500 ft or 3,840 m. Diving robots were used to take the first pictures, which were then published. 
The RMS Titanic Incorporation holds the sole rights to salvage items from the wreck. A total of seven diving expeditions have been mounted, bringing to the surface more than 6000 memorable artefacts. During the campaign in the year 2000, sizeable pieces of coal where salvaged from the wreck in the depth as well.

Country:	Cook Islands
Year:	2012
Face value:	10 Dollars
Metal:	Silver 925/1000
Weight (g):	50
Diameter (mm):	50
Quality:	Proof
Mintage (pcs):	1,912
Certificate COA:	Yes
Box:	Yes

 (PWC1)