2000 HMAS Sydney II

$1 Uncirculated Coin in Card

"C" Mintmark

*Please Note: These coins are pre-owned and the cards may show signs of wear*

This commemorative coin acknowledges the distinguised service of HMAS Sydney II during World War II and serves as a memorial to all those who died on 19 November 1941.

HMAS Sydney II was a modified Leander Class light cruiser. Commissioned in 1935 she was armed with eight 6" guns and had a top speed of 32 knots. Sydney first served Australia as an integral part of the British Fleet which gained control of the Mediterranean in 1940.

Departing the Mediterranean in January 1942 Sydney returned to Australia to perform escort duties in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

At 4.00pm on 19 November 1941, while returning to Fremantle from Indonesia, Sydney sighted an unidentified vessel. Sydney closed within 2km of the ship to establish her identity - the ship was a German auxiliary cruiser, the Kormoran. Expecting her cover to be blown Kormoran opened fire. Under Captain Joseph Burnett's command Sydney counter attacked and an intense battle followed. In five brief minutes both ships were mortally wounded.

The majority of Kormoran's 393 crew were able to flee to safety with 78 seamen losing their lives. Just hours after her last battle Sydney sank. All 645 crewmembers aboard died while serving their country, making this the heaviest loss of life suffered by the Royal Australian Navy in a single engagement.

SPECIFICATIONS

Denomination	$1
Metal	Aluminium-Bronze
Mass (g)	9.00
Diameter (mm)	25.00