2827) Emperor Penguin, Australia: "Wildlife in the Australian Antarctic Territory Coin Series": The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) has issued $100 Gold and $1 Silver Bullion Coins which have begun this Series: Date/Year of Coins issue: 04/2023:
The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) has started a new Bullion Coin Series which will highlight the Wildlife encountered in Australia’s Antarctic Territory (AAT).
The Header/Banner presents the Reverses of the Silver $1 and Gold $100 Bullion Coins against a background representation of a Penguin Colony, with one penguin preparing to dive into the ocean.
The series has begun with the Emperor Penguin, which is the largest of all the penguin species and is found throughout Antarctica and the Australian Antarctic Territory.
About Penguins:
Penguins are found close to the Arctic Pole in areas favouring coastal habitation or South of the Equator or on the many islands surrounding the Continent of Antarctica or adjacent areas.
There are 17 species of Penguins (each slightly different) found across the globe. Some of the species have nicknames, which give the impression that there are more than 17 species. For example – “Little Penguin” is also known as the “Blue Penguin”). All the species live in the Southern Hemisphere, while many are found at the South Pole in the Antarctica.
The Falkland Islands refer to themselves as the Penguin Capital of the World as more than one million penguins have made the Falklands their home and nest on these Islands throughout the year, because of their proximity to the nearest point of Antarctica – just 750 km away.
Their geographic placement off the tip of South America, not too distant from the coast of Antarctica, provides an ideal location for these extraordinary birds to live, breed and raise their young.
The Arctic Region is the only place where penguins are mostly found, although a few species of this flightless bird actually make their home on the Southern-most Continent.
The penguin has evolved over a period of time to adapt to such harsh weather and atmospheric conditions – however this process of evolution has made them very adept at swimming in water rather than flying across the skies.
The Emperor Penguin:
With their regal bearing and distinctive markings, Emperor Penguins are the largest of all penguins, standing around a metre (or just over three feet) tall and weighing up to 45 kilograms (or nearly 100 pounds).
Once regarded as a species of least concern in terms of endangerment, emperor penguins are now listed as "Near Threatened" by the "International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)".
The primary causes for an increased risk of species endangerment are declining food availability, due to the effects of climate change and industrial fisheries on the crustacean and fish populations.
Other reasons for the decline in numbers include disease, habitat destruction, and disturbance at breeding colonies by humans. Of particular concern is the impact of tourism.
With the rapid decline in numbers, Emperor Penguins could be on the brink of extinction by the end of this century.
In the wild, their predators are killer whales, leopard seals, and the giant petrel.
The most dangerous predator is the leopard seal, which can eat about 15 penguins a day, though they usually only catch the weak or the very sick, as a healthy penguin can usually out-swim a leopard seal.
On the other hand, Emperor Penguins are predominantly carnivores and eat a diet that consists of krill, squid, silverfish, and other fish species. Unlike many penguins that feed on surface prey, Emperor Penguins often reach depths of over 1,700 feet and can remain submerged for up to 20 minutes.
It is the only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter and can trek 50–120 km (31–75 mi) over the ice to breeding colonies which can contain up to several thousand individuals.
The female lays a single egg, which is incubated for just over two months by the male while the female returns to the sea to feed, the parents subsequently take turns foraging at sea and caring for their chick in the colony.
The lifespan is typically 20 years in the wild, although observations suggest that some individuals may live to 50 years of age.
The Coins:
The Reverses of the 100 Dollars (Gold) and 1 Dollar (Silver) Bullion Coins depict an Emperor Penguin with its chick.
In the background, there is a colony of adult Emperor Penguins lining up to dive from the Antarctic ice into the ocean.
On the upper right periphery is the text "EMPEROR PENGUIN" along the rim and the coins’ specifications "1 oz. 9999 GOLD" or "999 SILVER".
The Obverses of the 100 Dollars (Gold) and 1 Dollar (Silver) Bullion Coins includes the effigy facing right designed by engraver Jody Clark, whose initials "JC" appear on the Queen's neck. The peripheral inscriptions are - ELIZABETH II. 1952-2022, AUSTRALIA. 2023".
Below the Queen’s effigy is the denomination "100 DOLLARS" (Gold) or "1 DOLLAR" (Silver).
i)The specifications of the Gold Bullion Coin are:
Country of issue/City State: Australia; Coin Theme: "Wildlife in the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT)"; Date/Year: 04/2023; Denomination/Face Value: $100 (100 Dollars - AUS); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1.00 Oz; Diameter/Size: 38.70 mm; Coin Quality: Bullion - Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mintage: 250 pieces; Mint: Royal Australian Mint (RAM); Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designed by: Adam Ball.
ii)The specifications of the Silver Bullion Coin are:
Country of issue/City State: Australia; Coin Theme: "Wildlife in the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT)"; Date/Year: 04/2023; Denomination/Face Value: $1 (One Dollar - AUS); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1.00 Oz; Diameter/Size: 40.00 mm; Coin Quality: Bullion - Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mintage: 25,000 pieces; Mint: Royal Australian Mint (RAM); Presentation Box/Case: No; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designed by: Adam Ball.
- Each of the Gold and Silver Bullion Coins is encapsulated, with the Gold versions presented in a Royal Australian Mint-branded custom case with illustrated slipcase.
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