Eesti Pank presented the two euro coin dedicated to the discovery of Antarctica

Postitatud:

27.01.2020

Eesti Pank today gave a presentation of the two-euro commemorative coin dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica. Speakers at the presentation were Governor of Eesti Pank Madis Müller, captain of the Antarctica 200 expedition Meelis Saarlaid, and artists and designers of the coin Tiiu Pirsko and Mati Veermets.

“The discovery of Antarctica opened the horizons in both a literal and a metaphorical sense. Finding a new continent gave humankind a push to explore further the southern polar regions, and helped advance geophysics and maritime navigation. This made the discovery of Antarctica even more important, and Estonia as the birthplace of Bellingshausen has every reason to commemorate the 200th anniversary of this event. The commemorative two-euro coin entering into circulation today is a tribute by Eesti Pank to the Antarctic discoverers and researchers, and to fearless Estonian seafarers”, said Madis Müller at the presentation of the coin.

Background

This year is the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica. This important historical event is linked to Estonia because one of the first men to see Antarctica in 1820 was the Baltic German seafarer Fabian Gottlieb Benjamin von Bellingshausen, who was born in Saaremaa and who documented the discovery. To commemorate this significant historical moment, Eesti Pank is issuing on 27 January 750,000 two-euro circulation coins with a special Antarctica 200 design, of which 10,000 will be BU (brilliant uncirculated) quality and packaged as collector items on a coin card priced at 10 euros.

Public sale of the coin started at 12.00 on 27 January in the Omniva online shop. The Eesti Pank Museum shop will start to sell the coins and coin cards on 28 January from 10.00. Please note that this is two hours earlier than usual. The coin cards will not be available from post offices. Up to 5 coin cards and 10 rolls of coins can be bought in one purchase. The Eesti Pank Museum and museum shop are open from Tuesdays to Fridays 12-17 and on Saturdays at 11-16.

What are commemorative coins?

A two-euro commemorative coin is a circulation coin with the usual common side and a special commemorative design on the national side to commemorate a particular significant national or European event or topic. The coins are legal tender throughout the euro area, so they can be used for payments like any other euro coin.

Photographs from the presentation of the Antarctica 200 commemorative coin and of the coin and the coin card

Antarktika avastamise 200. aastapäevale pühendatud mälestusmündi esitlus

Additional information:
Mart Siilivask
Eesti Pank
Tel: 668 0965
Mobile: 5697 9146
Email: [email protected]

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