This coin celebrates the White Cockatoo and is part of a Bird Series of
commemorative
coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint. Released in 1990, this was the second coin in the series, which celebrates
the native birds of Australia. The final coin of the set paid tribute to the Wedge Tail Eagle, and was released in 1994.
The coins were issued on a yearly basis and the other birds featured are the Kookaburra, the Jabiru. the Emperor Penguin
and the Palm Cockatoo.
This issue was produced both as a standard
proof
strike and as a
piedfort
proof
and both types were struck into a sterling silver planchet
. The reverse of this coin features a White Cockatoo with its wings spread
as if about to take off or land on the branch of a tree and was designed by Horst Hahne. The only
legend
on this side of the coin is the denomination TEN DOLLARS. The obverse
features the Maklouf portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the
legend
ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1990. The individual packaging in which each coin is encased is beautifully illustrated with a
detailed and colourful picture of the bird featured inside. As you would expect the
piedfort
proof coin came in a thicker box and the artistically stylised text reads 1990 Ten Dollar Silver Piedfort Coin. Underneath
in a simpler font reads BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. The packaging housing the standard proof coin is much the same only thinner and
with the head title reading 1990 10 Dollar silver Proof coin. Both types of the original packaging includes a 'Certificate
of Authenticity' as well as a short description of the bird and its behaviour. The standard coin comes in a rectangular case
whilst the
piedfort
comes with a circular presentation case. There was a limited
mintage
of the proof coin of 50,000.
A number of species of White Cockatoo are found in Australia and tend to be found in wooden habitats. They are used regularly
in aviculture and can be kept as pets so long the owner has the time and energy to care for the demanding bird. Many of Australia's
cities are now home to the White Cockatoo including Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane as they have adapted very well
to European settlement. They have a very loud call and generally live for between 20-40 years in the wild. In captivity however
they have been known to live for as long as 70 years. As parrots go, Cockatoos are amongst the largest and there stand out
features include their showy crests and curved bills.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
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