Star Trek coins boldly go for a neat change, with the Perth Mint’s new Holey Dollar and Delta

After an initial period when the Perth Mint was the only coin producer issuing Star Trek themed product, it wasn’t long before the convoluted world of licenced franchising added the Royal Canadian Mint to the mix, followed last year by the New Zealand Mint (of course!), although that latter company has only produced foils to date, along with some non-denominated miniatures. That isn’t to say the Perth Mint is out of the picture, and they remain the primary source of new coins.

Like a lot of media licenced coins, the strict conditions placed on them by the rights owners can often result in a relatively unambitious range of products. Star Trek, like many others, has suffered from a succession of unadventurous, if sometimes admittedly attractive, coloured silver coins. These are cheap to design and mint, and simply have great appeal to a target audience that is rarely the hardcore numismatist. However, we’re glad to see the Perth Mint does make the effort still, and their latest is proof positive of that.

The Star Trek ‘Delta’ symbol has become an iconic part of the Star Trek lore, so it’s instantly recognisable here. Originally meant to be little more than the ship badge of the original USS Enterprise, it has come to encompass the whole of Starfleet. The reproduction here is easily the best we’ve seen in coin form, with the antique finish a nice surprise for a badge that has never been associated with it. Split into a 2oz ring and a 1oz ‘Delta’, the combined 3oz coin is one of the better Trek items we’ve seen come from the coin world

Packaging is first class – something necessary for the memorabilia market, and also something the Perth Mint has erred at before (the repeated use of the transporter box, for example). Their new clear acrylic lidded black boxes are very nicely done, with this one even integrating blue LED lighting. All told, a pretty cool addition to a licence in need of something more ambitious than yet another generic item. After all, isn’t that what Star Trek is all about? Available now.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

This unique collectable two-coin set has been minted to reflect the United Federation of Planets’ Starfleet Command Emblem. Struck by The Perth Mint from 3oz of 99.99% pure silver, the two-coin set is issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu. The Perth Mint will release no more than 1,000 of the Starfleet Command Emblem 3oz Silver Holey Dollar & Delta Coin Set.

DESIGN: The reverse design of the two-coin set portrays the Starfleet Command emblem. The central delta-shaped coin depicts a coloured star, while the outer coin portrays the inscription ‘STARFLEET COMMAND UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS’. Both designs incorporate The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The obverse of each coin bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination, the weight and purity, and the 2019 year-date.

PACKAGING: The coin set is presented in a special edition Star Trek themed display case which lights up in blue. Each coin set is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.