Crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation is celebrated thirty years on with new Tuvalu coin

Likely the most popular series of Star Trek from the many incarnations of this long-running franchise, the Next Generation ran from 1987 for 178 television episodes and four movies. The second coin to mark the 30th anniversary, the first chose the captain of the Enterprise-D and his transformation into a Borg for the episode Best of Both Worlds, widely considered ST:NG at its very best.

A typical Perth Mint coin, this one is double the weight of the previous issue at two ounces and thus stretches out to an impressive 55.6 mm in diameter. The official anniversary logo sits at the bottom of the reverse face, above which is a classic coloured image of the seven main crew members. A rendition of the Enterprise tops off the artwork. Issued for Tuvalu, the obverse is a simple effigy of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by the usual inscriptions. It’s a shame the increasingly popular integration of the effigy into the coin design hasn’t been employed here.

Presentation is yet another roll-out of the heavily themed plastic LED-lit box. Last time saw green LED’s to simulate the ‘Borg-effect’, but this time it’s the more traditional Starfleet blue. The outer shipper box is themed and includes a serialised certificate of authenticity. Selling for $209.00 AUD, the mintage is capped at 3,000. Available today.