2017-06-22 Thu

Pobjoy Mint recently issued a Cupro Nickel Diamond Finish 8.00 g 50 pence coloured coin in its Penguin Series featuring the Gentoo Penguin with a mintage limit of 7,500. It is the second coin from the 4-coin set. The Falkland Islands is considered as the penguin capital of the world as it is home to more than one million penguins.

The reverse features an adult Gentoo Penguin with two chicks on a rocky mountain outcrop, where they generally nest. The obverse features the Pobjoy Mint exclusive image of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Gentoo Penguin is one of the three Penguins within the three species in the genus Pygosceli found on the Falkland Islands and around the Antarctic. They have a white stripe on their heads and a bright orange bill. It has the largest tails among all penguin species.

The penguin waddles and sweeps its tail side to side when it walks. Its scientific name actually means "rump-tailed"! Gentoo penguins are the third-largest species of penguin, and the males reach a height of 90cm with a weight of about 8.5kg. They feed majorly on krill, crustaceans and fish. They have a top swimming speed of 22mph which makes hunting easy for them.

There are approximately 300,000 Gentoo penguins breeding. Their population has reduced to two-thirds over the last 25 years. Sea Lions, Leopard Seal and Killer Whales feed on these penguins. Their eggs are also stolen by hungry sea birds.

A collector’s album is also available which shows the penguins around a bait ball. It also gives information about each of the penguins displayed on the coin.