It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan or not, when you think classic science-fiction, you think of Star Trek. Debuting back in 1966 and continuing for three seasons, the original Star Trek series has rightly taken its place as one of the finest, and most groundbreaking sci-fi series of all time. It was to be a further decade before Trek returned to screens, and since then there have been twelve movies with another on the way, multiple television series, with another on the way, and literally thousands of books, comics and pieces of memorabilia. Now experiencing a new renaissance with the JJ Abrams series, Trek looks like it will continue to have a long life.

Last year the Perth Mint announced that it had the rights to produce coins based on the Star Trek franchise. They went on to release eleven coins last year featuring the Captains and their vessels from the five live-action series, and have just released a gilded bar that looks like Ferengi currency. They continue to hold the license and we expect coins based around the new movie to put in an appearance this year. In what can be seen as something of a surprise, the Royal Canadian Mint have also released a line of eleven coins that concentrate solely on the original series and the 50th anniversary this year. Quite how this all works is a bit of a mystery at present, but there’s no denying the RCM seem to have done a fine job with their contribution to Trek memorabilia.

The releases are to be spread out over the next few months, and sit in several groups. The $20 for $20 coin is a great design and the last of three of the face value coins to be launched in 2016 we understand, after Batman v Superman, and Tyrannosaurus Rex coins. Likewise the base metal coin and the gold Delta badge design are standalones. The two big series are both struck in silver and selectively coloured. There’s a ½oz set of four that features members of the original series crew, and there’s a 1oz set of four that depicts scenes from some of the very best episodes. The design and packaging on all of them look first class, and as the coin releases will be spread from May to October, they should be more accessible than would otherwise have been the case with a simultaneous release.

We like these, up there with the superb Looney Tunes coins and far better than the Superman releases. With the gold already seeming to be sought after, and the $20 for $20 coin apparently selling quickly, it looks like the RCM has a hit on its hands.