$5 2009 Polar Series - Antarctic Explorers Silver Gold Plated Proof

One of a series of four coins developed in conjunction with the Royal Society of Victoria and celebrating Australia's connection with Antarctica, this fine silver five dollar proof honours the first Aussies to explore the southern continent. 

The design on the reverse honours the first Australians to explore the Antarctic continent on the Ernest Shackleton Expedition - Douglas Mawson, Tannat Edgeworth David and Forbes Mackay. The three explorers are standing next to an Australian flag with a map of Antarctica in the background showing the locations of the bases at Mawson, Davis and Casey. The design is set within a stylised compass with the co-ordinates 0, 90W and 90E.

The coin was struck in pure silver and 24-carat gold plated, by the Royal Australian Mint at the request of the Royal Society of Victoria to mark the centenary of Ernest Shackleton's South Magnetic Pole expedition.

The coin is housed encapsulated in a leatherette hinged-lid case protected by a colourful cardboard shipper and accompanied by a numbered Royal Australian Mint certificate of authenticity and a separate Royal Society of Victoria certificate.

• 36.31g 99.9% Pure Silver and Gold Plated
• Encapsulated & Cased
• Mintage only 500 struck