2017-06-20 Tue

Pobjoy Mint released a new Proof .925 fine sterling silver £2 coin from the British Antarctic Territory featuring the Larsen Ice Shelf. The disappearing ice shelf in Antarctica due to global warming has been a concern for environmentalists all around the world. Using the hologram effect, the ice shelf that collapsed 15 years ago seems to retreat when you tilt the coin. The rim of the reverse features a cracked ice effect.

The Larsen Ice Shelf has three sectors starting from the north-west Weddell Sea till Antarctic Peninsula. Larsen A ice shelf collapsed in 1995. Larsen B partially collapsed between 31st January 2003 and March 2002. 3,250 square kilometers of ice, 220 meters thick, went into the sea within a week. Research reveals that remaining part of Larsen B sector will collapse by 2020. A rift was formed in the fourth largest ice shelf in Antarctica - Larsen C in 2016 which now is 130 square kilometres long, 91 meters wide and 500 meters deep. It is likely that this shelf will collapse in 2017 as well to form the largest iceberg in the world with an area of around 5,000 square kilometers.

The 28.28 grams coin has a mintage limit of 2,002 which also represents the year in which Larsen B Sector collapsed. This lovely coin can be purchased for $75.