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 Red Tailed Black Cockatoo, is the third in the Endangered Species series and was released by
the Royal Australian Mint in 1997. It is joined by the Numbat, Southern Right Whale 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 of a red tailed black cockatoo perched on the branch of a tree. The
legend
reads RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO at the top and further down 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 1997. 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 Red Tailed Black
Cockatoo is in red. On completion of the set a long case was issued, which allows the entire series to be housed together.
The Red-tailed Black cockatoo is also sometimes known as a Banks' Black Cockatoo and there are currently five known species
are currently considered an endangered species and they are both found most in the south of the continent. These two are
called the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and the south-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
(Wikipedia, 2013)
. They are regularly seen in large flocks and have a diet consisting primarily of seeds. Those that are threatened
tend to be native to the south-eastern regions where deforestation and changes to their habitat are the main reasons that
they are now a threatened species. High demand for cockatoos and parrots means they are also at risk from the thriving illegal
bird smuggling trade. The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo is currently under protection of the Wildlife protection act of 2001.
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