RRS discovery sails onto a £2 coin: A tribute to science, exploration, and adventure...
SOURCE
As a passionate coin collector and precious metals junkie enthusiast, I’m always excited when the Royal Mint drops something truly unique; and the brand-new RRS Discovery 2025 £2 Silver Proof Coin is exactly that. This release celebrates one of Britain’s most remarkable ships, a vesel designed not for war, trade, or luxury, but purely for science and exploration...
SOURCE
Built in Dundee in 1901, RRS Discovery was the first purpose-built scientific research ship and the last traditional wooden vessel of its kind in the UK. Her maiden voyage, the Discovery Expedition (1901–1904), carried Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton to Antarctica, marking the dawn of a new era in polar exploration. These voyages weren’t just about planting flags; they transformed our understanding of Antarctica’s climate, geography, and wildlife, laying the foundations for the science still being done there today.
This £2 coin is struck from 925 sterling silver with fine gold plating, finished to proof standard, and limited to just 1,500 pieces worldwide – making it rarer than the HMS Belfast £2 released previously. The reverse design by Gary Breeze beautifully captures the ship in her heyday, framed by hallmarks of the Antarctic region, while the edge inscription fittingly reads “DESIGNED FOR ADVENTURE.”
SOURCE
For me, coins like this go beyond their silver content. They conect us to history, to human curiosity, to the moments where courage and science collide. RRS Discovery wasn’t built for profit, but for knowledge – a lesson that feels particularly relevant today. As collectors, we’re not just stacking silver, we’re stacking stories, and this coin tells one worth remembering.
Personally, I think this is one of the better recent releases from the Royal Mint, the subject matter is inspiring, the mintage is low, and the design is strong. If you’re a collector of British history, exploration-themed coins, or simply love the idea of owning a tribute to a ship that changed science forever, this is one to consider. I might just find a place for it in my stack.
