New Polar medal remembers British Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton

The coin, which features a design based on the Royal Geographical Society Polar Medal awarded to Shackleton in 1904, is available in Proof Sterling Silver and Uncirculated Cupro Nickel.

 

To commemorate the 145th Anniversary of his birth and also the 115th Anniversary of him being awarded the Royal Geographical Society Silver Medal in 1904, the design on the coin is based upon the Silver medal which shows an Antarctic scene with members of the sledging party, the ship and a sledge. Penguins and seals can be seen in the plinth below.

The obverse of the coin features an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II produced exclusively by Pobjoy Mint.

Sir Ernest Shackleton

 

Born on 15 February 1874, Ernest Shackleton dreamed of being an explorer from a young age and at the age of sixteen, went to work in the Merchant Navy. In 1901 at the age of 27 he was selected to join Robert Falcon Scott’s Discovery expedition, the first major British exploration of the Antarctic.

 

He received the Royal Geographical Society Silver Medal for his involvement in the expedition and went on to become one of the world's greatest explorers. 

 

Coin details

 

Issue date: 26 February 2019

Diameter: 38.60mm

Weight: 28.28g

 

For more information, visit the Pobjoy Mint website.

 

QUICK LINK: Your guide to collecting USA State Quarters