Scott Polar Research InstituteCoin
Materials: Unknown
Dimensions: 125mm (width), 30mm (height), 180mm (length); 38mm (diameter), 3mm (depth)
Ref no: Y: 2009/27
A set of four commemorative coins (b-e), issued in March 2007, in a red presentation case (a). The coins commemorate: (b) the International Polar Year 2007-08, 2 pounds, (c) the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-16 (Endurance), 2 pounds, (d) the race to the South Pole in 1911-12, 1 crown, (e) the International Polar Year 2007-08, 1 crown.
Physical description:
case: A rectangular case with chamfered corners, with a red covering and gilt lines along the edges. The lid is lined with a white satiny textile, marked 'Pobjoy Mint // England U.K.' in gold lettering. The base is lined with a black velvety textile, with four round holes for the coins (each housed in a round plastic casing).
coins: Four commemorative coins, each housed in a round plastic casing.
(b): A 2 pound commemorative coin issued in March 2007 to commemorate the International Polar Year. The obverse bears the legend 'SOUTH GEORGIA & SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS 2007', with an effigy of Elizabeth II in the centre. The reverse bears the inscriptions '2007 INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR 2008' and 'TWO POUNDS' around the circumference, with a central image showing a man standing in the foreground with two dogs, another man standing by a sledge, a boat with a third man in the background, and mountains in far distance the background. Beneath the image are the words 'SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON'. The logo of the International Polar Year appears at the top, and the initials 'MP' are just visible in the circumference. The rim of the coin is milled. The coin is housed in a round plastic casing.
(c): A 2 pound commemorative coin issued in March 2007 to commemorate the Trans-Antarctic Expedition. The obverse bears the legend 'SOUTH GEORGIA & SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS 2007', with an effigy of Elizabeth II in the centre. The reverses bears the inscriptions 'TRANS-ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION AURORA AUSTRALIS' and 'TWO POUNDS' around the circumference, with a central image showing a group of men with a campfire by a small boat on an ice floe, with mountains and the aurora australis in the background. The logo of the International Polar Year appears at the top. The rim of the coin is milled. The coin is housed in a round plastic casing.
(d): A 1 crown commemorative coin issued in March 2007 to commemorate the race to the South Pole in 1911-1912. The obverse bears the legend 'QUEEN ELIZABETH II FALKLAND ISLANDS 2007', with an effigy of Elizabeth II in the centre. The reverses bears the inscriptions 'RACE FOR THE SOUTH POLE SCOTT V AMUNDSEN' and '1 CROWN' around the circumference, with a central image showing a bust of Scott on the left and a bust of Scott on the right. In the foreground is the British South Polar Party man-hauling a sledge, and the Norwegian Polar Party with a sledge pulled by dogs. The logo of the International Polar Year appears at the top. The rim of the coin is milled. The coin is housed in a round plastic casing.
(e): A 1 crown commemorative coin issued in March 2007 to commemorate the International Polar Year. The obverse bears the legend 'QUEEN ELIZABETH II FALKLAND ISLANDS 2007', with an effigy of Elizabeth II in the centre. The reverses bears the inscriptions '2007 INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR 2008' and '1 CROWN' with a central image of the ship Discovery. The logo of the International Polar Year appears at the top, and the initials 'MP' are just visible in the circumference. The rim of the coin is milled. The coin is housed in a round plastic casing.
