75th Anniversary Operation Jaywick Gold Proof Coin

Hollywood could not have conceived a more spectacular plot: It is WWII. The enemy is at Australia’s doorstep. The time for offense is at hand. 14 men traverse 4,000 miles in a small fishing boat to plant mines on enemy shipping in canoes, with no tactical support. The mines explode. Seven enemy ships are sunk or severely damaged. Chaos ensues. Sea and air patrols are intensified. One of the three canoe teams reaches the rendezvous point. The other two do not. The boat must sail or all could be lost. The crew decides to wait one more day for they are Australian and Australians do not leave mates. Ever. The other two teams are finally located. A Japanese destroyer comes within 100 yards of the boat, but in disguise the crew and boat evade suspicion. They return home as heroes – secret heroes. To preserve security for the next mission, no knowledge of their courageous efforts can ever be made public. The war, and the next mission, goes on… But this is not a work of fiction. It is Operation Jaywick, one of WWII’s most brazen commando raids. The 14 men, mainly Australians, undertook one of the most hazardous campaigns in any military history. Theirs is not a story of loss. It is one of celebration. The men of Z Special Unit represent the courageous heart of the Anzac legend. 75 years after Operation Jaywick, it gives me great pride to invite you to recall this daring mission and the men who crewed that fishing boat, the MV Krait, in a Palace-approved gold Proof coin capturing the action and heroism that defines the Anzac legend.

One half of the “75th Anniversary Operation Jaywick Gold Proof Coin” presents a full colour night scene of Singapore Harbour. In the background, fiery explosions as the mines detonate. In the foreground a sinking ship… one less threat to the Allied war effort. On the other side, a beautifully rendered metallic portrait of the 15th hero of Operation Jaywick, the MV Krait, plying its way into danger and into history. Uniting the two scenes is laurel wreath, for thousands of years, the symbol of heroic endeavour and a dynamic representation of the Z Special Unit dagger emblem. As powerful now as it was 75 years ago, it will ask future generations to remember the heroes of ZSU as the “75th Anniversary Operation Jaywick Gold Proof Coin” becomes a treasured family heirloom. Substantial is the only way to describe this coin. At 65mm in diameter and weighing 110 grams, coins of such proportions are struck to mark occasions of great importance. Minted to Proof standards, the highest possible quality, it is entirely layered with pure 24-carat gold and bejewelled with a genuine "ruby” crystal – representing the colour scheme of Z Special Unit – creating a coin that is simply without parallel. The technical complexities of striking at such a large diameter ensures that the worldwide mintage has been set remarkably low, at just 599. High demand is expected for this historic piece so don’t miss out, order yours today!

The first 200 coins in the edition have been earmarked for minting on 26th September, the 75th Anniversary of the raid. DON’T MISS OUT!

The Bradford Exchange proudly supports the Defence Force Welfare Association whose aim is to promote and protect the conditions and wellbeing of the Defence Family that embraces over three million Australians

Features

This 75th Anniversary Operation Jaywick Gold Proof Coin exclusive to The Bradford Exchange features: