THE BATTLE OF COCOS SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COIN
SALUTE OUR NAVY’S FIRST VICTORY
Commemorating a pivotal moment in naval history, this exclusive silver coin celebrates the HMAS Sydney’s hard-won victory over the German raider SMS Emden at the Battle of Cocos Islands in 1914.
This exclusive THE BATTLE OF COCOS Coin from The Bradford Exchange features:
- Only 199 pieces worldwide, 65mm in diameter
- Based on medals awarded to Sydney’s crew for their valor
- Features HMAS Sydney steaming into action, symbolizing courage and resilience
In the Battle of Cocos Islands on 9 November 1914, HMAS Sydney sank the highly successful, predatory German raider SMS Emden, commanded by Captain Karl von Müller. Known for his fearsome reputation, Müller had sunk 27 allied ships across the Indian Ocean. Although outmatched by the faster, more powerful HMAS Sydney, Emden’s captain refused to surrender, ultimately running his crippled ship aground on North Keeling Island, battle flag still flying. When no reply was received to a surrender demand, HMAS Sydney continued its attack, resulting in 134 German dead and 65 wounded.
Before this clash, a German raiding party of 53 men had landed on Direction Island, where they destroyed key communication equipment, including the radio room, main transmission mast, undersea telegraph cable, and other vital assets. While the victory of HMAS Sydney may seem straightforward in hindsight, it was hard-fought. During the intense battle, Emden scored numerous hits, and Sydney’s narrow profile and skilled maneuvering helped minimize the damage. Four sailors lost their lives and 16 were wounded—a toll that could have been far higher, given the enemy fire had destroyed Sydney’s rangefinders. This decisive victory was especially significant as it marked a proud first for our young navy. HMAS Sydney continued to serve in other combat theaters until it retired in 1928.
The Bradford Mint proudly presents this 65mm diameter silver commemorative coin, strictly limited to 199 pieces worldwide, featuring the heroic HMAS Sydney in finely etched detail, steaming into battle. An etched Royal Crown emblem signifies the engagement, alongside a depiction of a Mexican dollar—one of 6,429 silver Mexican dollars recovered from the SMS Emden, which Germany used for trading with its Chinese colony at Tsingtao. A thousand of these pesos were mounted by a Sydney jeweler and presented to the officers and men of HMAS Sydney as unofficial medals of bravery.
Features
This exclusive THE BATTLE OF COCOS SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COIN from The Bradford Exchange features:
- Exclusive silver commemorative honouring the Battle of Cocos Islands
- Finely etched design featuring HMAS Sydney steaming into battle
- Depicts the Royal Crown emblem symbolising the historic engagement
- Includes an engraving of a recovered Mexican dollar from SMS Emden
- Generously sized at 65mm in diameter for a striking collector’s piece
- Struck to the highest numismatic standards with exquisite craftsmanship
- Strictly limited to only 199 pieces worldwide for exclusive collectability
- A lasting tribute to HMAS Sydney’s heroic victory and naval legacy