Perth Mint released a new 5oz Silver Proof Coin dedicated to the wedge-tailed eagle. The coin is issued as legal tender using 99.99% pure silver and features high relief designs. The reverse side depicts a flying wedge-tailed eagle with sun rays in the background. Other inscriptions on the reverse include the texts AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE, 2019, weight & fineness and Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The obverse side features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II along with face value, 8 Dollars (AUD). The obverse side is designed by John Mercanti while the reverse design is created by Jody Clark. The 155.533 grams coin has a diameter of 50.60 mm, a thickness of 11 mm and a mintage limit of 2,500 pieces.

John M. Mercanti has created three other wedge-tailed eagle designs for The Perth Mint earlier. He was the 12th Chief Engraver of the US Mint and created the reverse design of the American Silver Eagle bullion coin. He has worked on the most number of coin and medal designs at U.S. Mint. Jody Clark joined the Royal Mint in 2012 and his Queen Elizabeth II portrait became the fifth official portrait of the Queen in 2015.

Every coin is packed in a grey display case inside an illustrated shipper and comes along with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

A platinum coin with the same design was also released earlier this year.

Image Courtesy: Perth Mint