The epic race between Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott to reach the South Pole is possibly one of the most legendary exploration tales in modern history. It was spiced with danger, triumph and ultimately tragedy. Very little has changed in Antarctica in the following century; the remote, frozen wastelands are as unforgiving now as they were then. Exactly one century since the original race to the South Pole, another death-defying challenge took place, as extreme athletes with the desire to highlight conservation and climate issues competed to reach the South Pole.
The South African Mint commemorates this race with 1000 special 2012 R2 silver crown coins which, for the first time in history, were over-struck on two special hand presses, called privy presses, by extreme adventurers, Braam Malherbe and Peter van Kets at the South Pole. Braam received training at the SA Mint's premises on how to operate the specially developed manual privy presses before they left to compete in the Centenary Race to the South Pole. The coins feature Antarctica and South Africa's research station, SANAE.
This special mint-mark R2 silver crown features the co-ordinates for the geographical south pole, 90ËÂÂÂÂS. This coin forms part of this exclusive limited edition launch set, which also includes the silver 10 Euro coin issued in 2011 by the Royal Mint of Belgium in celebration of Roald Amundsen’s discovery of the South Pole. The bi-metal medallion, containing a 1/4 oz pure gold, celebrates the centenary of the discovery and the epic journeys undertaken by mankind on Antarctica, a harsh yet beautiful continent.
History repeated itself, when the Norwegian team won the 704 km extreme race in 15 days. The Welsh team arrived 2nd in 22 days. Team SA finished 3rd in the race to the South Pole after expressing true South African sportsmanship. They aided a member of the British team who had fractured his arm and who’s life-long dream it was to complete the journey to the South Pole by sharing his very heavy load between them and the remaining members of the British team. A true show of South African humanity and comradery.
