On March 31, 1882, the RMS Douro cast off and sailed full steam ahead towards her destination port of Southampton. She never docked. The officer on watch assumed the officers on the bridge would see the light from an approaching ship, so didn't bring it to their attention. By the time he alerted the bridge it was too late and the Spanish ship, the Yrurac Bat, hit Douro's starboard side, gouging a large dent in her hull. She sunk along with seven of the crew, including the Captain. All never to be seen again. However, over a century later, the Douros valuable cargo of British Gold Sovereigns would, in fact, be seen again.
The example we have for sale is a 1853 W.W raised Victoria gold sovereign certified by NGC AU58
High grade
