{"product_id":"2008-ram-1-hmas-sydney-ii-s-mintmark-uncirculated","title":"2008 RAM $1 HMAS Sydney II | S Mintmark | Uncirculated","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2008 RAM $1 HMAS Sydney II coin | S Mintmark | Uncirculated\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Royal Australian Mint released this special $1c uncirculated coin to acknowledge the distinguished service of HMAS Sydney II during World War II and serves as a memorial to all those who died on 19 November 1941.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHMAS Sydney II was a modified Meander 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDeparting the Mediterranean in January 1941 Sydney returned to Australia to perform escort duties in the Indian and pacific Oceans.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt 4pm on 19th November 1941, while returning to Freemantle 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpecting her cover to be blown the Kormoran opened fire. Under Captain Joseph Burnett's command Sydney counter attacked and an intense battle followed. In 5 brief minutes both ships were mortally wounded. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe majority of the 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNominal Specifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDenomination: $1\u003cbr\u003eMetal: Aluminium Bronze\u003cbr\u003eMass: 9grams\u003cbr\u003eDiameter: 25mm\u003cbr\u003eFinish: Uncirculated\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RAM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785776640228,"sku":"RA-0012752_C","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0070\/9528\/7908\/files\/2000_HMASSydneyII_1a.jpg?v=1776725913","url":"https:\/\/roundaboutantiques.com.au\/products\/2008-ram-1-hmas-sydney-ii-s-mintmark-uncirculated","provider":"Roundabout Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}