The RRS Discovery was a barque-rigged auxiliary steamship built in Dundee, Scotland, for Antarctic research. Launched in 1901, she was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship built in Britain. Her first mission was the British National Antarctic Expedition, which made the first and highly successful voyage to Antarctica, known as the Discovery Expedition.

After serving as a merchant vessel before and during World War I, Discovery was commissioned by the British government in 1923 to conduct scientific research in the Southern Ocean, becoming the first Royal Survey Ship. The ship embarked on a two-year expedition—the Discovery Survey—which collected valuable information about the oceans and marine life.

For the first time, the RRS Discovery has been commemorated on a UK coin to celebrate its incredible legacy as the world’s first purpose-built research vessel and the last traditional wooden ship of its type in the UK.

The coin depicts the ship in its heyday, as well as symbols of the Antarctic region. This coin is a great gift for history and exploration enthusiasts.

Denomination: 2 GBP
Weight: 12 g
Diameter: 28.40 mm
Metal: CuNi