New Issues
HMS Endurance discovered: Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship found in Antarctic
You might have already seen the news that the HMS Endurance has been discovered more than 3,000 metres below the Antarctic Ocean.
It’s a fascinating discovery – in fact, the team that discovered the lost ship said that it’s ‘by far the finest wooden shipwreck’ they’ve ever seen.
If you don’t know why this story has captured everybody’s imagination, I’m going to explain to you why Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition on his ship HMS Endurance is one of the most enthralling stories in British maritime history…
The story of Endurance…
Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expeditions to the Antarctic captured my imagination as a young man, and even inspired the likes of Sir Edmund Hillary.
His most famous voyage was on the HMS Endurance – the very ship that’s discovery was announced this week. It’s this journey that produced one of the greatest stories of heroism in British exploration history.
Shackleton’s attempt to complete a Trans-Antarctic voyage left him and his crew stranded on the ice for 6 months with no prospect of rescue after the Endurance was crushed and sank in the place where it’s since remained for more than a century.
With the pack ice breaking apart underneath their feet, Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance had to make a decision and fast.
Using three small fishing boats the crew sailed 800 miles through the treacherous Southern Ocean, battling against hurricane force winds and icy water to cross South Georgia’s uncharted glaciers.
During this tortuous journey, Shackleton’s main concern was for his men. At one point, Shackleton handed over his precious mittens to a member of the crew who lost his at sea, suffering frostbite as a result.
When rescue finally arrived, the crew of the Endurance returned home to find that the First World War had broken out in their absence.
Shackleton’s immense journey, his bravery, and his endurance firmly secured him a place amongst Britain’s greatest.
The Discovery of the Endurance
Now, more than 100 years since it was last seen, the HMS Endurance has finally been discovered!
Dr John Shears, the expedition leader of Endurance22, said the search for Endurance had made “polar history” by completing what he called “the world’s most challenging shipwreck search”.
In memory of the famous explorer and his ship the HMS Endurance, you have the chance to own a collection of coins that celebrate the famous explorer.
View our range of Sir Ernest Shackleton commemorative coins here >>
Everything you need to know about the 2022 Annual Coins…
**INCLUDES TWO PLATINUM JUBILEE COMMEMORATIVES**
Each year, The Royal Mint marks important British anniversaries, events or accomplishments on our coins and today I’m delighted to reveal the UK’s new coin designs for 2022.
This year’s collection includes TWO special tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she marks her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 – including the UK’s FIRST EVER Royal 50p.
Watch our latest video below to find out everything you need to know…
There are 5 new commemorative coins, paired alongside the eight definitive coins from the 1p to the £2, all newly dated for 2022.
The commemorative coins are:
- Platinum Jubilee 50p – the UK’s first ever Royal 50p!
- Commonwealth Games 50p – issued to commemorate the 22nd Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year
- Alexander Graham Bell £2 – issued to mark 100 years since the passing of Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and engineer who invented the first telephone
- Dame Vera Lynn £2 – issued to commemorate the iconic wartime singer, famed for boosting morale and supporting British troops during the Second World War
- Platinum Jubilee £5 – issued to commemorate 70 years of Her Majesty the Queen’s reign
What’s more, you have the opportunity today to secure them in a variety of different presentations or specifications – there’s sure to be something for everyone…
UK 2022 Annual Coin Set BU Pack
To give as many collectors as possible the chance to own these highly sought-after coins, The Royal Mint has issued them in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, which is coveted by collectors as it means each coin is free from any marks you would find on circulated coins.
In this BU Pack you’ll find the five brand new commemorative coins alongside the eight definitive coins from the 1p to the £2, all newly dated for 2022.
Each one is protectively encapsulated in its attractive original packaging from The Royal Mint to preserve its quality for generations to come.
What’s more, you can secure this BU Pack for The Royal Mint’s official issue price of just £60 (+p&p). Click here to find out more >>
This set of coins is also available as a Change Checker CERTIFIED BU Commemorative Coin Set for £40 (+p&p). Click here to find out more >>
UK 2022 Annual Collector Proof Coin Set
Whilst being struck from base metal, the coins in this set have been struck to a stunning superior Proof finish.
Including all 5 commemorative coins alongside the new definitive coins for 2022, these sets are always extremely sought after.
You can order the UK 2022 Annual Collector Proof Coin Set here with a down payment of just £15.50 (+p&p) followed by 9 further interest-free instalments – that’s the Royal Mint issue price. Click here to find out more >>
UK 2022 DateStamp™ Specimen Set
The most limited way to own the five new 2022 commemorative coins is by securing the UK 2022 DateStamp™ Specimen Set. In fact, JUST 995 collectors worldwide can own this unique set.
What truly sets the 2022 Specimen Year Set apart from all other 2022 Annual Sets is the fact that it is forever set in time by the official Royal Mail postmark that marks the coins’ first day of release – 4th January 2022.
Each coin is struck to the highly desirable Brilliant Uncirculated quality, and come individually presented in tamper-proof capsules. What’s more, each set has a unique serial number, confirming its place in the tiny edition limit, and you can even register your set online to guarantee its provenance!
This DateStamp set has a track record of completely selling out within a matter of days, so if you want to secure a set for yourself you’ll need to be quick. You can reserve yours with a deposit of just £22. Click here to find out more >>
EXCLUSIVE DESIGN REVEAL: THE UK’s FIRST ROYAL 50P
In just 70 days the Queen will be celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. Her Majesty the Queen has confirmed that it will be celebrated with the nation’s FIRST EVER Royal 50p coin.
The design has been revealed today, and it certainly is something to look forward to
The new design features the all-important number ‘70’, representing the 70 years that the Queen has been our Sovereign.
The Royal Proclamation has confirmed that the nation’s FIRST Royal 50p will be issued in a range of specifications (including Platinum, Gold, Silver and of course Cupro-nickel).
We’re really hoping that we’ll see these 50p coins in circulation, and we’re expecting serious collector demand rivalling that seen in 1977 and 2002.
And that’s not all!
Intriguing alternative Queen’s head design
It has also been confirmed there will be an exciting alternative Queen’s Head design.
For now, that design still remains TOP SECRET, but we do know that it’s going to portray Her Majesty on horseback, in what appears to be a nod to her original 1953 Coronation Crown
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As we mentioned, we’re expecting serious collector demand as Britain’s most popular coin will be used to commemorate this once in a lifetime moment.
The first UK coin released to mark the Platinum Jubilee (The UK 2022 Sovereign) SOLD OUT in UNDER A DAY. We’re expecting the next Royal release to go the same way.