350 Years of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich

In 1675, the Royal Observatory became the first state-funded, purpose-built scientific institution in Britain, dedicated to improving sea navigation, cartography and timekeeping. The Royal Observatory is the historic source of the Prime Meridian of the World, 0° longitude, which marks the divide between the eastern and western hemispheres.

Sir Christopher Wren, who sat on the Royal Commission that recommended the foundation of an observatory, suggested using the ruined Greenwich Castle as the site for the groundbreaking institution. Construction took place with remarkable speed and was funded by an impressively small budget, and the first stone of the Royal Observatory was laid by John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, in August 1675.

For the next three centuries, astronomers at Greenwich observed the stars to improve navigation at sea and to define accurate time standards that became an essential part of modern travel, trade and communications.

Observing a Scientific Institution

Marking 350 years since its foundation, this UK £2 coin pays tribute to the Royal Observatory with a reverse design that features the dial of the Shepherd Gate Clock, the constellation Ursa Minor, the star Polaris and the Prime Meridian line shown on a globe. The coin also includes the edge inscription ‘PERFECTING THE ART OF NAVIGATION’.

The Royal Mint Limited will contribute 6% BU & Silver and 3% Gold of the individual purchase price of the Royal Observatory coin to Trustees of the National Maritime Museum, an exempt charity in England and Wales whose registered office is at Park Row, London, SE10 9NF. The total estimated donation for the campaign is expected to be around £70,000.

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