Silver coin Polar explorers - The conquest of the South Pole proof
Silver coin Polar explorers - The conquest of the South Pole proof
The product can also be purchased directly in the stores of the Czech Mint
Polar explorers
The second silver coin of the Czech Mint from the series called Polar explorers pays tribute to the heroes who conquered the South Pole.
After the supposedly conquered North Pole, the interest of adventurers turned to Antarctica. The realm of eternal snow and ice, where a six-month-long polar day alternates with a six-month-long polar night and where temperatures reach −70 ° C, has become the scene of one of the most famous races of all time. While Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen secretly set out for the South Pole so that no one would overtake him, Englishman Robert Falcon Scott announced his intention publicly. He chose a route that was 100 kilometers longer, but was largely mapped by Ernest Shackleton's previous failed expedition. In addition to conquering the pole, Scott had numerous scientific goals, but was betrayed by modern equipment. The snowmobile in extreme conditions showed obedience and the special-cut clothes did not dry well. His Siberian ponies were killed by frost and he failed to build a suitable warehouse. When the British polar explorers reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, they were bitterly disappointed. The Norwegian flag, with the date of December 14, 1911, was already flying at the pole. After the English found out they had arrived second - a month after Amundsen, who had chosen a shorter route and used the tested Eskimo equipment - they set out on their way back. Antarctica then summed up all logistical mistakes and added extremely bad weather. The British explorers did not return home - hunger, fatigue and frostbite became fatal for them. Amundsen's victory thus acquired a bitter taste… Since 1956, a year-round American research station named in honor of the two great polar explorers: Amundsen-Scott, has been operating in the immediate vicinity of the south turntable.
The reverse side of the coin, designed by medal maker MgA. Martin Dašek, is equally devoted to both expeditions. A dog sled together with a tent with the Norwegian flag are typical for Amundsen, Scott is symbolized by a group of skiers and a burial mound. The composition of the reverse side is supplemented with a depiction of a penguin, a map of Antarctica, a directional rose and the inscription DOBÝVÁNÍ JIŽNÍHO PÓLU (THE CONQUEST OF THE SOUTH POLE). The obverse side bears the steering wheel as a symbol of expeditions. As the coins of the Czech Mint are licensed by the foreign issuer, the island of Niue, they also present the name and portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the nominal value of 2 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2021.
The coin is stored in a special packaging that includes a narrative brochure full of period photographs and interesting facts about the conquerors of the South Pole.