This commemorative set marks the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cocos, one of the earliest and most celebrated naval engagements of World War I. On 9 November 1914, the Australian cruiser HMAS. Engaged and defeated the German raider SMS. Near the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, securing a decisive victory that became a defining moment in early Australian naval history. The set includes a 1 oz silver proof coin and a specially produced replica medal, presented together in an official display case. Theme: 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Cocos. Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, with country name and date. Depicts the naval engagement between HMAS. Commemorating the 1914 battle. The replica medal features the Mexican Eagle because the original “Sydney-Emden” medals were made from 6,429 Mexican silver pesos recovered from the wreck of the SMS. Carried thousands of Mexican silver pesos-widely accepted as international trade currency in Asia-to support German commercial activity in Tsingtao (Qingdao) and other East Asian ports. After the battle, the captured coins were taken by the Royal Australian Navy. In 1918, Sydney jeweler W. Kerr mounted 1,000 of these pesos into unofficial commemorative medals. These were presented by Captain John Glossop to. Officers and crew of HMAS. Staff on the Cocos Islands. Museums and official institutions. Because the medals were made from actual Mexican pesos, the obverse naturally displayed the Mexican coat of arms with the inscription REPUBLICA MEXICANA. Comes in original presentation box.