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.
(Royal Australian Mint, 2014)
The series was periodically released in pairs throughout the year in specially designed cards. The blow fly was part of
the first release, along with the Ulysses Butterfly.
(Royal Australian Mint, 2014)
There are over 140 species of Blow Fly in Australia. The Australian Sheep Blowfly is perhaps the most well known, a pest
famous for causing fly-strike in sheep.
(Queensland Museum, 2017)
This coin looks attempts to show the up close metallic exoskeleton of the fly which can give off a bright blue or green.
Using a colour/pad printing process, the Mint perfectly captures
the surprising 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.
(Royal Australian Mint, 2008)
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.
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