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Australia Numbat

1995 Proof Ten Dollar

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This ten Dollar sterling silver proof coin is one piece that makes up a series of four that commemorate some of Australia's most endangered species.They were released on an annual basis between the years of 1995-1998. This commemorative coin pays tribute to the Numbat, is the first in the Endangered Species series and was released by the Royal Australian Mint in 1995. It is joined by the Southern Right Whale, the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo and the Hairy Nosed Wombat. Nature and wildlife are a staple of Australian lifestyle and the continent in general. There is much pride taken in the native species of Australia and this series proved to be a highly popular one. The Endangered Species series was issued as both a standard proof coin and also as a Peidfort proof.

The reverse of the this coin was designed by Vladimir Gottwald and bears an image of a numbat sitting on a rock or piece of land. The legend reads NUMBAT at the top and towards the bottom the denomination 10 DOLLARS. The obverse was designed by Raphael Maklouf and features his portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It also bears the legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1995. As the coins were issued individually and released in succession, they each had their own presentation box and packaging. The outer packaging for all the coins read ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT at the top and at the bottom is written AUSTRALIA'S ENDANGERED SPECIES (standard proof) or (Piedfort) depending on the type of coin that is included within. The plush presentation cases themselves are in each in a different colour and this coin celebrating the Numbat is in green. On completion of the set a long case was issued, which allows the entire series to be housed together. The numbat is a marsupial that is currently only found in Western Australia. At one time they were found in plentiful quantities all across Southern Australia but by the 1970's it was considered to be an endangered species with a population of less than 1000. It was the introduction of the red fox from Europe that is largely responsible for the fact that the survival of the species is now under serious threat. (Wikipedia, 2013)

The numbat is a small creature that is also sometimes known as banded anteater due to the fact that it has stripes across its back and has a diet consisting mainly of termites. They tend to be reddish brown in colour and have a long and narrow tongue ideal for eating termites. Attempts to increase the numbers of the numbat around Australia are proving successful and Perth Zoo is involved in the breeding process.