2017-04-04 Tue

A green titanium £2 coin celebrating the green turtle was issued by the Pobjoy Mint for the British Indian Ocean Territory. For the first time ever Pobjoy Mint has produced a green titanium coin like this. Titanium reacts differently with each strike, making every coin unique with a special lined effect. An Uncirculated copper-nickel version of the same coin is also available. The reverse features two swimming turtles and the sun in the background. The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

The fat found below the shell of these turtles is green in colour while the shells are brown or black in colour. These migratory herbivores live in shallow lagoons and travel long distances between feeding and nesting.

They are majorly found in Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia which is a part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. Wildlife conservation initiatives take care of these lovely turtles found in the area so that adult females can lay their eggs safely.

These turtles are carnivorous by nature when they are young, while fully mature adults are mostly strict herbivores. They go inside water for 5 minutes while feeding but they can hold their breath for up to five hours. The mintage limit of the copper-nickel coin is 10,000 pieces and each one costs $16.95 each. The mintage limit of the titanium coin is 7,500 pieces and each one costs $59.