In 1909 three Australians Douglas Mawson, Tannat Edgeworth David and Forbes Mackay reached the South Magnetic Pole, a
hard and impressive achievement that is rightly celebrated as a significant and important historical moment in the connection
between Australian and the Antarctic Territory. They were exploring the Southern Continent as members of the Ernest Shackleton
Expedition. The year 2007-2008 was celebrated as International Polar Year, paying tribute to the fascinating region of the
Antarctic. This three piece series of five Dollar fine silver
proof
coins released progressively between 2008 and 2009 honours the unique fauna and flora of the icy continent as well as
the work and research performed at various stations and vessels with a significant Australian contribution.This particular
coin is the second in the series and the reverse features the first Australian explorers to reach the magnetic South Pole.
The two coins that accompany it in the Australian Antarctic Territory Silver Proof Coin series celebrate the Skua bird and
the Aurora Australis.
The reverse of the Australian Antarctic Territory - Polar Explorers
proof
coin was designed by Wojciech Pietranik and was struck into a fine silver planchet and finished to the highest possible
standard by the Royal Australian Mint. The three Australian men who achieved the impressive feat are depicted on top of a
map of the Australian Antarctic Territory. The research stations Mawson, Davis and Casey are marked on the map and the
legend
above reads Australian Antarctic Territory. Below it says "INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR2007-2008 Sth. MAGNETIC POLE - 1909".
The obverse of this fine silver proof coin features the Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with the surrounding legend
that reads "ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2009 5 DOLLARS". Each coin in the series was issued in a presentation case and packaged
in an illustrated outer box.
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