This coin celebrates the Penguin and is part of a Bird Series of
commemorative
coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint. Released in 1992, this was the fourth 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 Jabiru 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 two penguins with their chicks
in icy surroundings 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 1992. 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 1992 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 1992 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.
It is a common misconception that penguins are only found in the Antarctic or in very cold climates. In actual fact there
are species of penguin that live in Australia, most notably the Little Penguin, which is the smallest species of Penguin.
They are also sometimes known as Fairy Penguins and Blue Penguins, as there plumage is slate blue in colour. In the wild
they live for an average of 6.5 years but there have been cases in captivity when they have lived for as long as 25 years.
They are excellent swimmers and survive on a diet of fish, squid and other sea food. Penguins can be seen by visitors on
the Australian islands of Phillip, Penguin and Kangaroo.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
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