2218) "SMS Moltke", German Imperial Navy Ship, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands: Pobjoy Mint, UK has minted Cupro-nickel and Silver 50-pence coins to commemorate 140 years since the arrival of the first steam powered vessel to the Islands to make scientific studies: Year of Coin issue: 2022:
The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands has brought out commemorative 50-pence coins marking the 140th anniversary of the first steam-powered vessel to visit the territory.
The "Moltke" represents an important part of the heritage of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands and represents a key moment in the island’s history.
The Header/Banner shows the Obverse and Reverse of the Cupro-nickel and Silver Coins against a background image of the SMS Moltke in a harbour.
About the "SMS Moltke":
The Coins features the steam-powered ship Moltke launched in 1877 and built for the German Imperial Navy. She was of the Bismarck class Corvette and was originally designed to serve as a fleet scout and to go on extended tours of Germany's colonial empire.
Moltke was laid down in 07/1875, launched in 10/1877 and was commissioned into the fleet on 04/1878. She was armed with a battery of ten 15 cm guns and had a full rig to supplement her steam engine on long cruises abroad. She went on major overseas deployments in 1880 to several South American countries.
In 1882, the vessel was deployed to carry the first German Expedition for the International Polar Year to South Georgia.
This expedition, led by Karl Schrader, aimed to spend a year on South Georgia Island making scientific observations on a range of phenomena including geology, zoology and disturbances in the geomagnetic field.
On August 21, after navigating heavy seas and icebergs, they found a suitable landing site at what is now known as Moltke Harbour, near Royal Bay.
German scientists spent 13 months in South Georgia as part of the International Polar Year between 1882-1883 where they set up the island’s first scientific research station.
The expedition was supplied with special equipment to enable the crew to obverse the transit of Venus that occurred on 06.12.1882. This enabled the distance between the Earth and the Sun to be measured while Venus passed between them.
They were also responsible for setting up the first telegraph system and for taking the first photographs of the island. The foundations of their eight buildings can still be discerned at Koppen Point.
The three-mast steam corvette "Moltke" returned to Germany in 1885 where she became a training ship for naval cadets and later apprentice seamen.
The ship served in this capacity from 1885 to 1908, during which time her activity consisted primarily of fleet training exercises and overseas training cruises.
She was stricken from the naval register in October 1910 and sold for scraps in July 1920.
The Coin:
The seven-sided coins, which are part of a wider collection of tall ships issued by various British territories have been minted by the Pobjoy Mint at their facilities in Surrey, England, on behalf of the treasury of the South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands.
The Reverse of the 50p (Pence) Cupro-nickel and Silver Coins depict the Moltke based on a vintage drawing featuring the vessel with her sails unfurled. The denomination "50" is placed to the left side of the primary design with the text "MOLTKE" (on the lower periphery).
The Obverse of the 50p (Pence) Cupro-nickel and Silver Coins features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, which is an exclusive design of the Pobjoy Mint.
The issuing authority name - "SOUTH GEORGIA AND SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS" is placed on the outer periphery.
i) The specifications of the 50p (Pence) Cupro-nickel Coin Variant are:
Country of issue: South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands; Year: 2022; Denomination/Face Value: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: Cupro-nickel; Weight: 8.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.30 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mintage: 2,750 pieces.
The Brilliant Unc. diamond finish base metal coins are presented in a blister-pak type folder with illustrations and informative text about the SMS Moltke.
ii) The specifications of the 50p (Pence) Silver Coin Variant are:
Country of issue: South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands; Year: 2022; Denomination/Face Value: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 8.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.30 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mintage: 175 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes.
The Silver Proof coins are presented in a Perspex lucite frame case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
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