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The treasury of the British Antarctic Territory has released (2nd February) new commemorative £2 coins which mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of international cooperation, which governs the use and claim of the continent of Antarctica.
The coins are produced by the Pobjoy Mint, at their facilities in Surrey, England, and on behalf of the British Antarctic Territory’s treasury. The coins are issued on behalf of the government of the British Antarctic Territory, with full recognition of Article IV of the Antarctic Treaty:
Nothing contained in the present Treaty shall be interpreted as: prejudicing the position of any Contracting Party as regards its recognition or non-recognition of any other State’s rights of or claim or basis of claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica.
The reverse design features a map of Antarctica with four emperor penguins standing on the land. The commemorative text shown above the primary design reads THE ANTARCTIC TREATY 1961 – 2021 with the denomination of TWO POUNDS placed below.
The obverse of the coin features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy, an exclusive Pobjoy Mint design.
| Denom. |
Metal |
Weight | Diameter | Quality |
Maximum Mintage |
| Two pounds |
Bi-metallic |
12 g | 28.4 mm | Brilliant Unc. |
2,750 |
| Two pounds |
.925 Silver |
12 g | 28.4 mm | Proof |
275 |
The Brilliant Uncirculated base metal bi-metallic examples are presented in a blister-pak type folder with illustrations and informative text highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty. The silver Proof coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom case, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information about these coins and others issued by the treasury of the British Antarctic Territory, please visit the website of the Pobjoy Mint.
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the coin is beautiful, but I don’t understand the purpose of this kind of coins.
Hello USA coins,
Thank you for your comments, yes the coins are beautiful.
Part of the attraction of British territorial coin collectors are their design and quite often the anniversary or event which isn’t covered in the UK for example. These coins are minted with the same specifications as British coinage from countries and colonies who use sterling currency and collectors who focus primarily on coins from British territories are eager to add these to their collections with many selling out quite quickly.
The genre is growing as more of these the coins are released – some are minted by the Royal Mint and others minted by private companies such as the Pobjoy Mint who are commissioned by the treasuries of several territories and who also act as distributors.