2016-11-22 Tue

The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition or the Endurance Expedition was one of the last major expeditions of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Both poles were reached by 1914 after which Sir Ernest Shackleton, decided to traverse through Antarctica. He reached South Georgia on 5th November 1914. He stayed at the Grytviken whaling station for 1 month and then sailed into the Weddell Sea to cross the Antarctic continent and meet the Ross Sea party on Aurora. After 18 months, he returned to South Georgia.

Endurance lost its way in the ice and her 28-man complement finally used lifeboats to reach Elephant Island. From there, Shackleton and his five companions sailed for 1,300 km on James Caird to King Haakon Bay, South Georgia. He reached the Stromness whaling station on 20th May, after which Shackleton began rescuing his men on Elephant Island. After four attempts in different vessels, all his men were rescued!

The 2017 Cupro Nickel and Proof Sterling Silver New South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Coins feature Endurance stuck in the Antarctic ice. The designs are struck four times for attaining high relief against a mirror brilliant background. The crew is depicted pulling the sledge on the ice pack. The obverse features the new effigy design of Queen Elizabeth II.