June 19, 2014 – The Perth Mint boarded the Oberon class submarine, HMAS Ovens in Fremantle on April 1, 2014, to unveil a precious metal tribute to mark 100 Years of Australia’s submarine force, the military’s silent service.
Australia/ 1 AUD/ 1 oz/ Silver 999/ 40.6 mm/ Design: Wade Robinson/ Mintage: 3,000.
On 24 May 1914, the Royal Australian Navy took delivery of its first submarines in Sydney, the two British-built E-class vessels HMAS AE1 and HMAS AE2, as part of a substantial upgrade of Australia’s fledgling naval fleet.
Perth Mint Sales and Marketing Director, Ron Currie said that The Perth Mint recognises the extremely strong sense of identity and comradeship of Australia’s submariners and the vital role they have played in the nation’s naval history since the outbreak of World War I.
“Unheard and unseen is the submariner’s motto, and here at The Perth Mint we are proud to mark 100 years of their silent service with an Australian legal tender coin,” he explained.
Launch Celebrations at HMAS Ovens in Fremantle. The Oberon class Submarine HMAS Ovens is an authentic Cold War-era vessel situated in Fremantle, near Perth. The submarine is on temporary exhibition by the Western Australian Museum.
Struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver, this superb tribute features a coloured representation of a submarine cruising through the ocean. The ocean is portrayed as breaking through two concentric circular ropes which are derived from the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service ship’s badge. The dolphins and crown emblem in the centre of the badge also appears in the design, with the inscription CENTENARY OF AUSTRALIAN SUBMARINES 1914 – 2014 and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. As a mark of distinction, the coin displays special lettering which reads SILENT SERVICE three times around the edge of the coin.
The commemorative coin is accompanied by an enamel badge replicating the official insignia of the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service and incorporates the maxim SUBMARINE FORCE AUSTRALIA SILENT SERVICE.
Members of the Submarine Association of Australia.
As the pinnacle of naval technology, Australian submarines operate in international waters and under air space controlled by other countries, using the element of surprise, while avoiding detection or causing diplomatic incident. They are a key component of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force at large.
Today, the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service consists of six Collins-class submarines located at the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Force Element Group Headquarters in Rockingham, Western Australia.
Learn more about the HMAS Ovens exhibition of the Western Australian Museum.
Details about the HMAS Ovens can be found on this website of the Australian Navy.
For more information about the coin, go to perthmint.com.