The sinking of the S.S. Tilawa in the Indian Ocean during World War II has been referred to be historians as the Indian Titanic. The Tilawa’s voyage was scheduled to take it from Bombay, India, to Durban, South Africa, but the vessel never arrived. In addition to the lost souls when Japanese torpedoes took down the Tilawa, 2,364 silver bars sunk to the ocean’s depths. In 2017, roughly 60 tons of shipwrecked silver was secretly recovered from the wreckage in what would become a controversial salvage operation. Right now, 1 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Rounds are available online from JM Bullion.
Round Highlights:
- Arrives in a protective plastic flip, a tube of 20, or a box of 500!
- Refined from silver recovered from the S.S. Tilawa!
- Unique Tilawa Shipwreck Silver!
- Contains 1 Troy oz of .999 pure silver.
- The obverse features a view of the Tilawa with a map charting its course.
- On the reverse, you see the Tilawa from the water level.
Each 1 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Round available here comes in a plastic flip, a tube of 20, or a box of 500. These silver rounds were made with silver that was recovered from the wreckage of the S.S. Tilawa in 2017. After an extended court battle for the rights to the silver, it has found its way to refiners who are using the silver to strike commemorative shipwreck silver pieces.
The S.S. Tilawa’s mission in November 1942 was to deliver passengers and cargo from modern-day Mumbai, India, to Durban, South Africa. The Tilawa’s silver cargo was destined for the South African Mint, which planned to use the silver to produce silver denominations for South Africa and Egypt.
The obverse of the S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Round comes with an aerial view of the S.S. Tilawa. In this design, the Tilawa is shown sailing calm seas with a view of the eastern seaboard of Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent in the background. There is an arch noting the intended course of the S.S. Tilawa from India to South Africa.
On the reverse of 1 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Rounds, you’ll find a depiction of the S.S. Tilawa sailing through the Indian Ocean. This haunting sea-level view of the ship’s stern is reminiscent of the view the Japanese submariners likely had as they targeted the vessel. On November 23, 1942, two torpedoes struck the S.S. Tilawa, sending it to the murky depths of the Indian Ocean.
Shipwreck Silver is not a common product and chances to own silver with this type of history are fleeting. If you have any questions about silver rounds, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.
“Amazing design and detail.couldn’t wait to get them.”