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 Southern Right Whale, is the second in the Endangered Species series and was released by the
Royal Australian Mint in 1996. It is joined by the Numbat, 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 two southern right Whales swimming under the sea. The
legend
reads SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE 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 1996. 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 Southern Right Whale
is in blue. On completion of the set a long case was issued, which allows the entire series to be housed and displayed together.
The Southern Right Whale is found in the southern most parts of the Southern Hemisphere and can be spotted off the coats
of Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Argentina amongst others. It is thought there are currently around 10,000 southern
right wales and this number appears to now be rising once again.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
Whale hunting was largely responsible for the previous decline in numbers and for putting them at risk of extinction.
There are now a number of whale protection programs in place in all countries in which southern right wales are known to
be present and breeding in their waters. This kind of whale is in fact a baleen whale and can grow to be as long as 49 feet
and weight up to 47 tonnes.
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