RRS Discovery and exploration of Antarctic
By Coinsanduk | Thursday, 11 September 2025
The RRS Discovery was a historic barque-rigged auxiliary steamship launched in 1901. It was a research vessel purpose-built for polar exploration, specifically designed for Antarctic.
The advent of the 125th anniversary coupled with the centenary of the Discovery Oceanographic Expedition provided an opportunity for the Royal Mint to honour one of Britain's research vessels.
The reverse design of the coin is dedicated to all things Discovery and features several items that are synonymous with Antarctica, in addition to the ship itself. This includes icy landmasses, iconography of polar wildlife such as penguins and whales, and a partial map of the area.
The coin also features an edge inscription that reads, DESIGNED FOR ADVENTURE, further illustrating the ship's purpose-built status and strong association with the world of exploration.
Discovery's first mission was the British National Antarctic Expedition (1901-1904), famously led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott and also involving Ernest Shackleton. The ship was built to withstand being frozen into pack ice, with a massively constructed wooden hull.
Royal Navy officer, Scott led two major expeditions. His second expedition, the Terra Nova Expedition, was in a famous race with Amundsen to the South Pole. Scott's party reached the Pole on January 17, 1912, only to discover Amundsen had beaten them. Tragically, Scott and his four companions perished on the return journey.
Known for his extraordinary leadership and focus on his crew's survival, Shackleton led several expeditions. He came close to reaching the South Pole in 1909. His most famous expedition, the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1917), aimed to cross the continent but became an epic story of survival after his ship, the Endurance, was trapped and crushed by ice.
Polar explorer, Amundsen successfully led the first expedition to reach the South Pole on December 14, 1911. His team's success was largely due to his careful planning, reliance on dogs for transport, and adoption of techniques from indigenous polar peoples.
The RRS Discovery was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship to be built in the United Kingdom. The reinforced bow was designed to withstand ferocious waves and the overhanging stern increased stability, allowing the ship to survive the icy and unpredictable seas of Antarctica.
Discovery became the first British expedition to overwinter on Antarctic mainland and this allowed for sledging expeditions into the interior of the continent and the beginning of the charting of the unknown terrain.
The early 20th century marked a period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, when Antarctica was the most researched and explored. This era, which began in the late 19th century and concluded around World War I, saw a surge of international expeditions driven by national prestige, scientific curiosity, and a race to be the first to reach the South Pole.
The ship was built with design help from the Admiralty and partial funding from the UK Government. Next, scientists, naval officers and crew were employed to chart Antarctica from the sea, land and sky and travel further south than any human had before.
After its polar expedition, the ship had a long and varied career, serving as a merchant vessel and carrying out further scientific research in the Southern Ocean. It was officially designated as a Royal Research Ship in 1923.
The ship is now a museum ship and a major tourist attraction in Dundee, Scotland, where it was originally built. It is cared for by the Dundee Heritage Trust.
The Royal Mint previously created something else associated with the exploration vessel. A Polar medal was created in 1904. Instituted by Edward VII, the medal was given to individuals for outstanding service in the field of polar research, with Captain Scott and his crew being the very first recipients.
A gold Proof, silver Proof, silver Proof Piedfort and brilliant uncirculated edition were made.
