2016-11-30 Wed

The 165th anniversary of the publication of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick was celebrated by issuing Uncirculated copper-nickel and Proof .925 fine silver crown coins featuring the sperm whale by The Pobjoy Mint for British Antarctic Territory.

First published on 18th October 1851 in London, the story talks about Capt. Ahab’s quest for the albino sperm whale that sunk his ship. He had also lost his leg during a previous voyage due to the whale. Moby-Dick likes whaling which is actually a metaphor for existence.

This species was majorly targeted by whalers from 19th to 20th century. A liquid wax called spermaceti is found in the head of the whale, due to which it got its name. Spermaceti was used in lubricants, oil lamps, and candles. A waste product called Ambergris is still used as a fixative in perfumes.

Today the whale is considered to be endangered by conversationalists. They have distinctively huge heads and rounded foreheads with the largest brain on Earth. They hold their breath for up to 90 minutes and feed on squid 1,000 meters under the ocean.

The reverse features a sperm whale in Antarctic waters with the setting sun in the background. The obverse features the exclusive Pobjoy Mint portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

The copper-nickel coin has an unlimited mintage and can be purchased for $16.95 each while the silver coin has a mintage limit of 10,000 pieces and is priced at $65 each.