This coin celebrates the Palm Cockatoo and is part of a Bird Series of
commemorative
coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint. Released in 1993, this was the fifth 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 Emperor Penguin.
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 the striking head of a Palm Cockatoo
with hair feathers and sharp beak 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 1993. 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 1993 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 1993 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.
The Palm cockatoo is one of the largest species of cockatoo and probably the largest parrot in Australia. It also has
one of the largest bills of any parrot and a distinctively crest. The large bill is also incredibly strong allowing them
not only to break into the shells of tough nuts and seeds but also to break off sticks from trees. The red cheek patch is
another distinctive marking of this bird, which changes colour whenever it becomes alarmed.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
The Palm Cockatoo is found in countries including New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia, specifically Northern Queensland.
They tend to be found in small groups of no more than 6 birds, which is unusual for a cockatoo as other species tend to flock
together. Just like most parrots they have a distinctive and loud call and are capable of making a very human like hello
sound.
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