Australia expends considerable time and money monitoring and protecting its unique ecosystem, and one of the more impressive scientific instruments at its disposal is the RV Investigator. This 94-metre long research vessel, built in Singapore, was launched in 2014, and used by the Australian Government for oceanographic studies, geoscience, and fisheries research. Packed to the gills with state-of-the-art equipment, it continues to plough the seas. At the time of writing, it’s situated just off the coast of Antarctica.

The Royal Australian Mint has debuted a small coin, available in silver or gold, which features the vessel and one of its Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), in this case a deep tow camera. The ROV is depicted exploring the seabed and the flora and fauna that inhabit it, including a brittle star (Ophiuroidea), gold coral (Chrysogorgia), and spiny king crab (Neolithodes flindersi). The design is quite neat, if lacking a defined focal point, and the inscribed title in a font that harks back to 60s horror movies, is a neat touch.

The silver variant has a mintage of 5,000 pieces, and the 25.0 mm diameter coin weighs in at a scant 11.66 grams – unusual for the metal. The gold coin (mintage 2,023) is a tenth-ounce in weight, and 17.53 mm in diameter. Both versions come in unique packaging, and both are available now.

LINKS: ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT