This coin celebrates the Jabiru and is part of a Bird Series of
commemorative
coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint. Released in 1990, this was the third 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 White Cockatoo, the Kookaburra, 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 Jabiru standing tall on the ground
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 1991. 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 1991 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 1991 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. An excerpt from the description reads The
Black-necked Stork is more commonly known as the Jabiru or sometimes the Policeman-bird. It is mainly seen in Northern Australia.
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.
The jabiru known officially as the Black-necked stork is a wading bird, which stands tall with a long neck. They have
the long heavy bill that is a signature of the stork and are black and white in colour (the reason behind the endearing name
of the policeman-bird.) As the name suggests they have a long black neck. Although they are found in a number of countries
including India, Pakistan and South East Asia, the largest population is found in Australia.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
They are spread all over the country along the rivers from New South Wales to the Northern Territory. They build a platform
in large and isolated trees, on which to nest and lay eggs and will often reuse the nest year after year. The diet of the
Jabiru includes small water birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles.
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