Pobjoy Mint — British Antarctic Territory: New 50-pence coin remembers explorer Jacques Cousteau, 1910-1997

Hover to zoom.

The treasury of the British Antarctic Territory has launched (7th November) new 50-pence commemorative coins in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the death of renowned oceanographer and explorer Jacques Cousteau (1910–1997). As a young man, Cousteau had planned for a career as a navy pilot and graduated from the French naval academy in 1933 with a commission as a second lieutenant.

The seven-sided commemorative coins are produced by the Pobjoy Mint, at their facilities in Surrey, England, on behalf of the treasury of the British Antarctic Territory. The design on the reverse side features the ship Calypso with a balloon set to take off for aerial exploration in the icy Antarctic waters. Below the primary design is the denomination in text, FIFTY PENCE. The obverse of the coin features an effigy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022), which is an exclusive design of the Pobjoy Mint.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Mintage Limit
50 pence	Cupro-nickel	8 g	27.3 mm	Brilliant Unc.	1,950
50 pence	.925 Silver	8 gr	27.3 mm	Proof	195

Available for dispatch from the 16th November, the Brilliant Uncirculated diamond finish base metal coins are presented in a blister-pak type folder with illustrations and informative text. The silver Proof coins are presented in a Perspex lucite frame case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information about these and other coins issued by the treasury of the British Antarctic Territory, please click here.

❑