2014 - Virgin Islans 5 $ - Turquoise Seahorse Titanium Coin - BU

British Virgin Islands 2014 Turquoise Seahorse 5 $ Titanium Coin

Following the popularity of previous Titanium coins, Pobjoy Mint is pleased to announce the release of a new Titanium coin for 2014 on behalf of the British Virgin Islands Government which features the Seahorse.

Seahorse is the title given to 54 species of marine fish in the genus Hippocampus which comes from the Ancient Greek hippos meaning ‘horse’ and kampos meaning ‘sea monster’. Seahorses are found in shallow tropical and mild waters throughout the world. Seahorses prefer to live in sheltered areas such as seagrass beds, estuaries and coral reefs.

Seahorses range in size from 1.5cm to 35.5cm and are named for their equine appearance. Although they are bony fish they do not have scales as other fish do. Instead they have a thin skin which is stretched over a series of bony plates which are arranged in rings throughout their body. Each species has a distinct number of rings. Seahorses swim upright and, unusual amongst fish, seahorses have a flexible, well-defined neck. They also have a coronet on the head which is distinct for each individual. The Seahorse feeds on small crustaceans which float in the water or crawl on the bottom of the sea bed. With their excellent camouflage and a lot of patience, they can ambush prey that float within striking range.

The design on the coin features a beautiful seahorse with its tail entwined around some coral. Titanium is exceptionally difficult to strike and each coin is truly unique as no Titanium coin is exactly the same as another. There is also a lined effect that is present on the coins which is also unique to Titanium metal.

The obverse of the coin features an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.

Ti 990/1000, 36,10 mm, 10 g, 2 GBP, BU. Mintage: Pobjoy Mint, 2014, only 5,000 pieces.