| Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2020 Voyage of Discovery - Endeavour |
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The Australian two ounces silver piece (abbreviated as 2 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products.
Both mints endeavour to create coins with attractive designs, and to introduce new designs and themes often, in order to raise the numismatic value of the coins over the value of previous metal used.
The Mint says about this coin:
Marking 250 years since Captain James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour sighted the east coast of Australia in 1770, this innovative 2oz silver collectable celebrates the scientific achievements made possible by the historic voyage.
British Royal Navy’s research vessel Endeavour, captained by explorer and navigator James Cook, was tasked with exploring the Pacific Ocean in 1768 and reached the east coast of Australia in 1770. This historic journey led to scientific developments in the measurement of longitude and hydrographic surveying as well as the record of new species of plants by botanist Joseph Banks. Featuring a replica ship’s wheel insert, this 2oz silver antiqued coin celebrates the profound impact Endeavour’s achievements had on navigation, mapping and natural sciences. |
| Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage |
1,770
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| Obverse | |
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At the centre of the coin is a cut-out rotating insert plated with 24-carat gold representing a ship's wheel, surrounded by a gold-plated ring. The rest of the rim is decorated with old compass motifs.
Above, a small effigy of Queen Elizabeth II - her Fifth (in Australia - Sixth) Portrait by Jody Clark, whose initials JC are in tiny letters on the Queen's shoulder.
Around the rim, the monarch's legend, the face value of the coin, the date of issue and the precious metal content: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2oz 9999 Ag 2020 2 DOLLARS. "2oz 9999 Ag" means "two troy ounces of silver"; Ag is abbreviated from Argentum, the Latin word for silver. |
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| Reverse | |
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The coin’s reverse design features representations of the scientific breakthroughs and discoveries made during Endeavour’s journey.
Arranged around a central insert of a rotating ship’s wheel, these include the ship, a sun dial charting the path of Venus, navigational tools, Banksia flowers named after Joseph Banks, mapping equipment and a portrait of James Cook.
Also included in the design is a background depicting continents mapped during the voyage, the inscription ENDEAVOUR 1770 - 2020 in a ribbon around above, and the Perth Mint’s P mint mark above left. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ENDEAVOUR 1770 - 2020 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Silver content (Troy oz): 2.000
Finish: antique, selective gold plating, with rotating wheel insert.
Packaging: accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, each coin is presented in a classic black display case and packaged within a themed shipper.
Perth Mint SKU: 20G93AAA
Issue price: AU$ 254.00 |
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