In 2018 The government and treasury of the British Antarctic Territory issued their first 50-pence coin whose reverse design features a somewhat quirky, tongue-in-cheek name Boaty McBoatface of one of the newest underwater research vessels of the National Oceanography Centre, which is located in Southampton, U.K.
The somewhat comedic story began in March 2016 when the Natural Environment Research Council launched a campaign to find a name for the UK’s next world-class polar research ship. One “name” in particular by former BBC Radio Jersey presenter James Hand captured the nation’s imagination when his suggestion of “Boaty McBoatface” went viral on social media and was soon trending on Twitter, being discussed all over the world. The autonomous underwater vehicle was initially named with another popular choice, “Sir David Attenborough,” but the popularity of Boaty could not be ignored, and so one of the National Oceanography Centre’s auto-sub long-range autonomous vehicles was renamed and now proudly carries the name. It will serve with the RRS (Royal Research Ship) Sir David Attenborough.
*This coin is from the British Antarctic Territory and has not entered general circulation in the UK*
*This coin is presented in a coloured display card*
Obverse: Jody Clark Portrait
Reverse: Depicting a coloured image of Boaty McBoatface