British Antarctic Territory 2012 - Terra Nova Expedition - Unc. Cupro Nickel

The UK has a 100 year record of direct observations of Antarctica, which has paved the way for globally significant discoveries about the ozone hole, climate change and ocean currents, to name but a few.  This scientific excellence has directly contributed to the UK’s leading role in Antarctic affairs throughout the last 100 years, and clearly underlined the UK’s long-standing interest and contribution to the protection of Antarctica. 

The hardships and adversity faced by the early explorers has fostered an enduring spirit of international cooperation and collaboration that lives on. The agreement of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, borne itself from international scientific co-operation, has stood the test of time in sustaining Antarctica as the only continent in the world never to have seen conflict.

We have much to thank Captain Scott and his fellow scientists and explorers for. Their courage, determination and spirit, remains an inspiration to us all and this moving new coin features an image of his ship the Terra Nova, with explorers working and penguins in the foreground. A cameo of Captain Scott appears above.

The obverse of the coin bears a fine effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS FSNAD.

Available in Unc. Cupro Nickel, Proof Sterling Silver and both 1/64oz and 1/25oz Proof Fine 999.9 Gold, each precious metal coin has been carefully struck four times to produce a glorious mirror-finish background with the design sculpted in striking relief.