The Treasury of the British Overseas Territory of Antarctica have issued (24th October) a commemorative coin which marks the centenary of the Terra Nova expedition of Captain Robert Scott, with the objective being the first to reach the geographical South Pole.
Famous explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s name is synonymous with the Polar Regions, as he was the first pioneer one of the first to reach Antarctica in early 1902. It is only fitting that the British Antarctic Territory should issue this numismatic tribute and memorial to Scott’s historic expedition, especially since the UK has a 100 year record of direct observations of Antarctica. They have paved the way for globally significant discoveries about the ozone depletion, climate change and ocean currents, to name but a few.
The obverse of the coin bears the now familiar effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. The text “BRITISH ANTARCTIC TERRITORY 2012” is positioned around the Queen’s portrait. The reverse design features an image of Scott’s ship the Terra Nova, with explorers working and penguins in the foreground. A cameo of Captain Scott appears above. The text “CENTENARY OF CAPTAIN SCOTT’S TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION” is positioned above the primary design while the coin’s denomination of two pounds appears underneath.
The crown sized coin is available in an Uncirculated Cupro-Nickel version (mintage 50,000) and proof sterling silver (mintage 10,000) with a weight of 28 grams and a diameter of 38.6 mm. Two gold versions (.999 fine) are also available in both ½ gram (£2 face value) and 1.24 grams (£4 face value) struck to Proof quality and with a mintage limited to 10,000 pieces each.
This coin is only the third commemorative coin to be released by the British Antarctic Territory. For more information on this and other coins offered by the Pobjoy Mint, please visit their website at: http://www.pobjoy.com/ukworld/page.php?xPage=index.html
“Famous explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s name is synonymous with the Polar Regions, as he was the first pioneer to reach Antarctica in early 1902.” Wrong. The first people to ever set foot on Antarctica were a crew from the whaler “Antarctic” on January 24, 1895. Two expeditions under Borchgrevink (February 17, 1899) and de Gerlache (January 1898) also landed before the Discovery expedition did.
Hello Kristoffer,
I stand corrected… Indeed, Carsten Borchgrevink was the precursor of Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition and as such, I should have worded my description that Scott was “one of the first” pioneers to reach Antarctica by 1902. Perhaps Norway should honour this explorer on a coin if they already haven’t, and I’ll make sure the coin is included here, it would be a nice addition to Norwegian commemoratives I think. Incidentally, 2014 will be the 150th anniversary of his birth so, remind the Mint of Norway of this auspicious event!
Hello Alexander,
I’m glad to help any way I can. Your idea for having Norway honor Amundsen on a coin is a great idea, and I’ll let the Mint of Norway know both about your first idea idea and your second. Incidentally, Amundsen was born on July 16, 1872, so 2012 will mark the 140th anniversary of his birth, and 2022 will mark the 150th.