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Australia Cassowary

2004 Proof One Hundred Fifty Dollar

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This 150 Dollar gold proof coin was released in 2004 by the Royal Australian Mint and was the first instalment in a series of three, commemorating Australian rare birds. The set was intended to raise awareness for the rare birds and the importance of the preservation of Australian wildlife as well as make a stunning addition to any collection. The three coins were released progressively, one every year between the years of 2004 and 2006. This coin pays tribute to the Cassowary, a flightless bird native to northeastern Australia. The Rare Bird Series also included coins featuring the Mallee Fowl and the South-eastern Red Tailed Black Cockatoo. Each of the coins were struck into gold and have a limited mintage of just 2500. As well as this series of $150 coins the same three birds and designs were also incorporated into a $200 series of the same name.

The reverse of this coin was designed by Royal Australian Mint designer and sculptor Wojciech Pietranik. If bears the profile of the distinctive Cassowary bird amongst Lawyer Vine. This is one example of the tropical foliage typically found in the Cassowary's natural habitat. The only legend on the reverse of the coin is the 150 DOLLARS. The obverse of the coin features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and surrounding the image is the legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2004. The coin was issued in a beautiful wooden presentation case the outside of which bears the text Australian Government Royal Australian Mint. This was packaged in an outer box creatively designed featuring foliage from the rain-forest and a picture of the coin. The text on the box reads $150 Gold Proof Coin Rare Birds - Australian Rain-forest Cassowary. Also included in the box is a Certificate of Authenticity and a booklet containing information pertaining to the rare birds featured in this commemorative set.

A Cassowary is a very large and distinctive, flightless bird that is native to both New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Impressively it is the third tallest and second heaviest bird that can be found on the planet today, behind the ostrich and the emu. Their diet consists mainly of fruit, shoots, grass seeds and fungi that can be picked up off the floor. Although very shy, they have the capability to be aggressive and when provoked their power has been known to cause injury.They are typically found within humid rain forests and are solitary the majority of the time until mating season. However they generally stay in the same area for their entire lives, particularly when food is plentiful. One species of the bird, the southern Cassowary is already listed as endangered in Queensland. There are many factors that threaten their existence including being fed by humans which lures them into dangerous suburban areas and also Ferel pigs which destroy their nests and eggs and compete for food.