HMAV Bounty Series 2 - Captain William Bligh

About the Design

Following the success of the 2008 H.M.A.V. Bounty series, New Zealand Mint presents a new gilded 1oz silver coin featuring the Captain of the Bounty, Lieutenant William Bligh.

The Bounty was sent by the British Royal Navy to the Pacific to fetch bread fruit for transport to the West Indies where it was to be used as cheap food for slaves. The infamous mutiny took place in 1789 after the ships crew had become used to the good life in Tahiti, rebelling soon after leaving the Society Islands.

Following the mutiny, commanding officer William Bligh and 22 loyal sailors were set adrift in a 7m longboat. A brilliant navigator, Bligh guided the small open boat 3,618 nautical miles to land in Timor after a 47-day voyage.

Lieutenant Bligh returned to Britain and was cleared of all responsibility for the mutiny. Bligh worked his way through the ranks to that of Captain and in 1805 was appointed Governor of New South Wales, eventually being promoted to Vice Admiral.

The Pitcairn Islands are halfway between New Zealand and South America and were the historic first port of call for the Bounty mutineers following the famous mutiny. The sailors and their cohorts had 'rediscovered' the islands which had been 'mislaid' on Admiralty Charts.

The Bounty was burnt and sunk in Bounty Bay to avoid attracting attention to the small colony of Tahitians and Englishmen. To this day the island remains populated by descendants of some of the original mutineers and those people they brought with them from Tahiti.

Obverse

The obverse of the coin features the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, sovereign of the Commonwealth and Pitcairn Island, along with the year '2009' and the denomination of NZ$2.00

Reverse

The reverse of this coin features a gilded image of Captain William Bligh with the HMAV Bounty and the Pitcairn Islands in the background. This is surrounded by a finely engraved border and plaque.

Limited Mintage

No more than 1,500 of these coins will be issued by New Zealand Mint.

Presentation

This 1oz gilded silver coin is presented in a wooden case fashioned in the form of a sea chest. Each coin comes complete with a certificate of authenticity issued by New Zealand Mint and has a strictly limited mintage of only 1,500.