This special celebrates the 250th anniversary of the British Royal Navy’s research vessel Endeavour reaching Australia in 1770.

HM Bark Endeavour, captained by James Cook, embarked on its Pacific voyage on 26 August 1768 with instructions to chart the transit of Venus across the sun at the equator. Subsequently charting New Zealand in 1769, the British expedition sighted the east coast of Australia at Point Hicks on 20 April 1770.

As Endeavour sailed north Cook charted the coast before making first landfall at a wide, shallow bay south of present-day Sydney on 29 April 1770. Naturalist Joseph Banks recorded so many previously unknown botanical specimens at this location that Cook named the area ‘Botany Bay’.

The ship also stopped at what has since become known as the Town of 1770 before Endeavour struck the Great Barrier Reef and ran aground near Cooktown on 11 June. The voyage was delayed while repairs were carried out. The ship then rounded Cape York, stopping at Possession Island in the Torres Strait on 22 August.

Endeavour‘s exploration of the Pacific Ocean has left a profound legacy of scientific investigation, including the first large-scale hydrographic surveys and a significant contribution to the measurement of longitude.

Struck by The Perth Mint from 2oz of 99.99% pure silver, the coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.

No more than 1,770 of the Voyage of Discovery Endeavour 1770-2020 2oz Silver Antiqued Coin will be released by The Perth Mint.

DESIGN
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 representations include the ship, a sun dial charting the path of Venus, navigational tools, Banksia flowers named after Joseph Banks, mapping equipment and James Cook. Also included in the design is a background depicting continents mapped during the voyage, the inscription ‘ENDEAVOUR 1770-2020’ and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.

The obverse of the coin bears the Jody Clark effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2020-year date, weight and purity, and monetary denomination.

PRESENTATION
The coin is housed in a classic display case with a clear lid. Packaged with an illustrated shipper, each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

TECHNICAL NOTES
In keeping with its historical theme, the coin has been ‘antiqued’ by hand to give it a unique finish conveying the surface abrasions of an aged artefact. As a result of this treatment, the appearance of each coin in the limited mintage will vary.

Technical Specifications