Owner Comments:
S-3857, Marsh 103A (Scarce), long tail
Acquired from: Smalls, Sydney
Means: Auction 194, Lot 80
Date: 13 November 2022
Ex: The Douro Shipwreck Cargo
Provenance: Spink (London) November 1996
Critique: Since limited funds will prevent me from ever finishing a complete set of British gold sovereigns, I've decided to simply acquire as many dates/mints as practical. While doing so, I intend to concentrate on three particular categories of coins: those of interesting and unusual varieties, those displaying mint errors, and those with unique provenance. I was very anxious to acquire this particular coin, since it's not only very high grade with excellent eye appeal, but it also has one of the most famous of all provenances known to sovereign collectors. This coin was recovered from the wreck of RMS Douro in 1995 after lying on the bottom of the sea for over 100 years. For those not very familiar with the background story, here is the very nice summary posted by the auction company , which accompanied the sale.
"In the early morning of the 2nd April 1882 the Spanish passenger liner 'Yrurac Bat' was hugging the Spanish Coast as it approached Cape Finisterre the last landfall before it took on the perils of the Atlantic crossing on its south-west journey to Havana. At the same time travelling north up the coast on its journey to Southampton was the Royal Mail Steamer 'Douro' having made a port of call at Lisbon in Portugal to disembark passengers who had travelled onboard from South America. As well as carrying valuable cargo the 'Douro' was also known for its well-appointed cabins and was a firm favourite of first class passengers journeying to and from South America. Thus, it was a passenger, Mr Stoher, who while taking in some fresh night air before retiring first noticed a light in the distance from the starboard (right-side) bow. Curious, he mentioned it in passing to a Fourth Officer who identified it as a far-off ship, but thinking nothing of it didn't bother to alert the Chief Officer on the Bridge who he was certain would be monitoring the situation. However, by the time the Chief Officer did notice the light of the oncoming ship it was upon them and far too late to avoid a catastrophic collision. Reuters reported: Corunna 2 April 1882. - The Spanish Steamer Yrurac Bat came into collision at 4 o'clock this morning with the Royal Mail Steamer Douro, near Cape Finisterre. Both vessels foundered. The Yrurac Bat lost 30 men including her captain and pilot. About 35 of the persons on board the Douro were saved. The number of the Douro's passengers and crew drowned is not known. The survivors have arrived here. The Spanish vessel ploughed into the starboard side of the 'Douro' in the area of the main mast causing immediate carnage. Mayhem ensued as the passengers woken from their sleep ran amok having received no practice drill on how to report to the lifeboats. Only six passengers from the 'Douro' fell victim to the waves but in the spirit of naval tradition, the Captain, four of the senior officers and the Second Engineer, all went down with the ship in the company of a valuable cargo of over 28,000 gold sovereigns plus a quantity of unrefined gold held in the ship's safe."
Over 20,000 gold coins were recovered from the wreck, mainly sovereigns from London, Melbourne, and Sydney mints. Those from Australia had been kept in the Lisbon bank and were to be sent to London, which explains their new condition. The vast majority of Douro wreck coins which have been graded are in AU condition, so one this nice is quite special.