I'm trying to compile a list of countries that offer Antarctic coins, since I have a particular interest in this hunk of ice. So far I have come up with: Australia: I believe there are 6 in this series Ireland Ukraine Japan Britain Does anyone know of others? Some of these seem to be easy to find on eBay and such, but some of the others I haven't found a source for. Any advice in this area would be appreciated also. Also, some of the coins seem to be available from eBay, but from China, any chance they would try to counterfeit these? I'm thinking no.
No one "owns" Antarctica. There are a lot of territorial claims but they were set aside by the Antarctic Treaty back in 1958(?) during IGY. Therefore there are no Antarctica coins per se (although the BAT coins from the Pobjoy Mint seems to be changing that. But I'm betting that they and all the others are really special issues or commemoratives). Although the US can use American coins and currency at McMurdo, the remote stations like the Pole Station just keeps a tab that is charged to some account periodically. At least that's that way it worked when I was there. Also check out the currency "issued" for Antarctica.
I probably should have been more clear, I looking for commemoratives minted in any country that are Antarctic related and considered legal tender. I've been working for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) since 02 and decided it might be nice to put together a type set. There is not much to spend money on when you are there, McMurdo, Pole or Palmer; and the Kiwi station, Scott base is right over the hill from McMurdo, they also except US dollars. There is a gift shop in McMurdo that also sells staples to the people on station that are working, and a few bars. Kanga, we jumped into the 19th century and now have ATM's :smile. I assume when the Russians come in off the ice breaker they get US dollars from the ATM.
Whoa, I didn't know there was anyone here who worked at McMurdo. Is it true there's a bowling alley there? More importantly, what are the odds that bowling alley would be looking for an experienced worker...?
Back when I was at Pole Station (Nov 68-Feb 69) there was no such thing as ATMs. In fact there was no such things as computers. And that applied to McMurdo too. The Kiwis still had dogs. At Pole power was generated with Diesel generators. At McMurdo power was generated by a nuclear plant. I was at the original Pole Station, but about 10 years after it was built so it had drifted in and was about 20' down.
Well, there was a bowling alley, it is now shut down, they closed it (this year) due to settling of the 'foundation'. It also took a special bowler with intimate knowledge of the lanes to knock down a good score since the lanes had some special 'hills' and 'slopes' that needed to be delt with. Everthing was manual, they had people sitting in the back of the lanes setting pins. There is talk of rebuilding the bowling alley, but we will see. For now they have proposed building Wii rooms for virtual bowling, of course attached to the non-smoking bar.
Very cool Kanga, were you in the Navy? All power is generated by diesel generators at all stations now. In fact, we are coming into the closing phase of upgrading the power plant in Mactown with all new generators and backup gens. I've heard many rumors of the nuclear plant lol, crazy stuff. The dome in SP is about to be demoed, since it is so drifted in and takes to much maintenance to keep it clear. There is talk of sending a portion of it to the Seebee museum, I hope they do that!
No, I was ESSA Weather Bureau. That was before they renamed it NOAA. It was a contract job with the Gov't. Four of us went to Pole. I was summer-only. The other three wintered over. I got my original training in Army weather. That MOS no longer exists. I read that you can still get down to the original station IF you get permission. The overburden of snow is crushing it so apparently it's a bit dangerous to visit.
Are you saying you'd like to go back down :kewl:? I assure you it's quite safe, especially with the new elevated station, I can check in with my peeps
Nope, at my age it's WAY past time that I take trips like that anymore. Well, not quite. The wife and I did Antarctica in March a year ago. But this time it was via Argentina and a ship from Ushuaia. What they say about the Drake Passage is not understated. All the porthole covers were bolted shut for the two days it took us to cross to the Palmer Penninsula (and back).
Hmmmm? Someone with the name Byrd responding to an Antarctica thread. We are re-opening Byrd camp this year. Thanks for the info!
I wouldn't want to mess with the emperor pingu. They can go up to 60 km/ph underwater! :hail:I would actually like to go to Anarctica one day.
Speaking of that...I have researched to nearly my death, but I don't think I am related to Richard Byrd.:crying:
