Pobjoy Mints long running titanium coin range welcomes the Patagonian Toothfish to its ranks

Pobjoy have long produced coins in the super-tough metal, titanium and are almost unique in doing so. Difficult to strike given the metal is harder than that used to make the dies, most mints stick with copper, silver and gold, all malleable metals that take a coin design with ease. Titanium takes colour well and is imparted during the strike rfather than as an afterstrike application, so each is subtley different.

Having ramped up the release schedule of titanium coins this year, this is, I think, the ninth coin to be launched this year and is the first to be issued for the Falkland Islands. With life under the sea a staple of the range, it’s no surprise to see a fish on the front of this one. Struck in 10 grams of titanium, the £39.59 plus tax coin features Pobjoys own effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and has a mintage of 7,500 pieces. A base-metal uncirculated version with a mintage of 10,000 is also available for £12.46 plus tax. The former is boxed with a certificate of authenticity, the latter comes in a pouch. Available now

MINTS DESCRIPTION: In recognition of 30 years of work conducted by Falkland Islands Fisheries Department (FIS) to help maintain fish populations around the Falkland Islands, Pobjoy Mint is releasing a stunning coloured titanium coin featuring the Patagonian Toothfish in an Eddy of Water.

As Titanium reacts differently with every strike, each Patagonian Toothfish coin is technically different and varies slightly in colour. There is also a lined effect that is present on the coins which is unique to this metal. The obverse features the Pobjoy exclusive effigy design of HM Queen Elizabeth II in exceptional detail.

The Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) is a species of cod found in cold icy waters primarily in the southern Hemisphere at depths of between 45m and 3850m! Toothfish can grow to become very large and can weigh up to 100kg and reach 2.3m in length, although this is quite rare. It is estimated that they can live for up 50 years and sustain themselves by feeding on squid, small fish, prawns, crabs.

The Patagonian Toothfish is widely commercially fished however its name is deemed to be unattractive to consumers. In 1977 a U.S. fish wholesaler decided he wished to sell the species under a different name and chose to call it the ‘Chilean Sea Bass’ a name which is now recognised by FDA (Food & Drug Administration) for both the Patagonian Toothfish and a close relative, the Antarctic Toothfish.

The Falkland Islands are playing a role in the conservation of this species by creating regulated fisheries and collating data from Patagonian Toothfish catches. This was set up in 1994 with the increase in dermersal longliners targeting this species at depths of over 600m. The reports show that the fish stocks mainly decreased from 1994-1999 with the biomass currently at about 50% of what it was in its unexploited state. The official body responsible for the sustainable development of fisheries in the Falklands is the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department (FIS), established in 1987.

SPECIFICATION

NAME 2017 PATAGONIAN TOOTHFISH
DENOMINATION 1 Crown
COMPOSITION 0.990 titanium
WEIGHT 10.00 grams
DIAMETER 36.10 mm
FINISH Brilliant uncirculated
MODIFICATIONS None
MINTAGE 7,500
BOX / COA Yes / Yes