Pobjoy launches new silver bullion coin to replace the Isle of Man Angel
With news that the Isle of Man Angel bullion coin was to be no more, we figured that the Pobjoy Mint would look elsewhere amongst its vast repertoire of issuing nations to develop an alternative. It’s happened far quicker than we imagined and the mint is back with an all new silver bullion coin issued for the British Virgin Islands. The BVI is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. Over fifty islands make up the territory, only around 15 of which have significant inhabitation. Significant being a relative term, the 28,000 population of the BVI is little more than half the mintage of this new coin…
Like the aforementioned Manx Angel, this new coin is struck in 0.999 silver to a reverse-proof finish. Mintage is limited to just 50,000 making it one of the rarer bullion coins out there. Similarly to some other bullion coins, they are sold individually heat-sealed in a clear pack.
The design is potentially a fine one even though we’re looking at artwork instead of an actual coin (we hopefully have a sample coming to photograph). Going with the traditional British classical look, it depicts ancient Greek mythology, in this case the winged horse Pegasus being led by the Goddess Athena, carrying a spear. This kind of look is always popular on coins and this seems like it could be very well liked. We think it’s better than the Angel it is replacing.
Available to buy from 03 October, we’d imagine prices will be in the same ballpark as the preceding reverse-proof Angel coin. More next week when we’ll hopefully have some coin images up.
COIN IMAGES
MINTS DESCRIPTION
Pobjoy Mint is delighted to announce the release of an exquisite new Silver Reverse Proof coin on behalf of the British Virgin Islands Government, featuring the famous Greek mythological horse, Pegasus.
The story of Pegasus begins when Perseus is sent to kill one of the three Gorgons – Medusa who had writhing snakes instead of hair. It was said that anyone unfortunate enough to gaze on her face would turn to stone. The God Hermes and the Goddess Athena came to aid Perseus with special gifts, including a shield which Perseus used as a mirror so he did not look directly at Medusa. When Perseus beheaded Medusa it is said that Pegasus was born from the blood of the Gorgon.After Pegasus had helped Perseus rescue Andromeda, he was carried to Mount Helicon where he was entrusted to the care of the Muses.
Many wanted to capture Pegasus but no one could work out how to tame such a magnificent creature. After being advised to sleep in the temple of Athena, Bellerophon saw the goddess before him holding a golden bridle. When he awoke he was alone but the bridle remained. He ran from the temple and found Pegasus drinking at a spring. Bellerophon put the charmed bridle on the winged horse’s head with little difficulty and, with the bridle in place, Pegasus became gentle and tame and Bellerophon became his master.
Each coin is produced to the highest quality and has been struck four times to produce a stunning frostedfinish background with the design sculpted in striking relief. A truly special design in reverse proof with a limited mintage that makes it a rare and valuable collector’s coin.
DESIGN: The design on the coin is based on a famous Greek image of the famed Winged Horse Pegasus and the Goddess Athena. Approved by Buckingham Palace this coin carries an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II exclusively by Pobjoy Mint, which also features a frosted background.
PRESENTATION: The bullion coin sets are presented in a heat-sealed clear pack containing the required quantity. The Single coin is also presented in an individual heat-sealed pack.
SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | BOX / COA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$1 BVI | 0.999 SILVER | 31.103 g | 38.60 mm | REVERSE PROOF | 50,000 | NO/ NO |
Uh . .. that design is gorgeous and I bet it will look way better “in hand”