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Australia Grasshopper

2014 One Dollar

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The 2014 Bright Bugs Series is the Royal Australian Mint's fifth animal series, following the popular Ocean, Land, Sea, and Polar series. The Bright Bugs series encompasses six, uncirculated coins, each depicting some of Australia's most interesting insects; the Blowfly, Ulysses Butterfly, Cuckoo Wasp, Stag Beetle, Grasshopper, and Red Bull Ant. The series was periodically released in pairs throughout the year in specially designed cards.

Leichhardt's grasshopper was discovered by German explorer Ludwig Leichardt in the mid 19th century. The species is very rare with some believing it had gone extinct until CSIRO Scientist J. H. Calaby rediscovered them in 1971. They are bright red, blue, and orange coloured and although this is often a sign of toxicity they have no toxic defences. (Becky Crew, 2014)

Using a colour/pad printing process, the Mint perfectly captures the strong colours of this species. The reverse was created by first striking the coin with a very detailed relief then applying coloured ink to further enhance the design. The result is eye-catching with precise, vivid details and intense colour, paying artistic homage to this stunning species. The obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley's image of Queen Elizabeth II.