RRS Discovery has been commemorated on a new special coin by The Royal Mint to celebrate 100 years of its RRS designation

Picture: The Royal Mint

Dundee’s iconic ship RRS Discovery has been honoured on a new special coin released by The Royal Mint, marking 100 years since the vessel became the very first Royal Research Ship.

The design, created by artist Gary Breeze, shows Discovery in its prime and includes subtle references to the Antarctic landscape. Around the edge of the coin is the inscription ‘DESIGNED FOR ADVENTURE’, a tribute to the spirit that has defined the ship for more than a century.

Three versions of the coin are available. The standard £2 Brilliant Uncirculated coin is priced at £18, while a limited Silver Proof edition costs £87, with only 1,500 struck.

For collectors looking for something rarer still, the Silver Proof Piedfort coin – a double-thickness sterling silver piece with selective gold plating – is priced at £149, with just 750 available.

It is the first time Discovery has ever been featured on a UK coin, making the release a significant moment not only for collectors but also for the city that built her.

The announcement adds another chapter to Dundee’s proud association with the vessel, which still welcomes thousands of visitors at Discovery Point.

The Royal Mint’s decision to feature the ship is being seen as a fitting way to mark the centenary of Discovery’s Royal Research Ship status, underlining the national importance of a vessel that has long been at the heart of Dundee’s story.

Discovery now joins a select group of British icons commemorated in coinage, with this release ensuring the city’s most famous ship is recognised across the country.

Details on how to view or purchase the limited edition coins are available from The Royal Mint’s website.