2019-03-30 Sat

The Pobjoy Mint released the third coin in its special series that’s dedicated to flamingos for the British Virgin Islands. This time, the coin features two adult Chilean flamingos with pink plumage, greyish legs and pink joints. Their chick is standing between them in shallow water. The coin is struck in a light gold metal developed by Pobjoy Mint called Virenium. The obverse features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, exclusively designed by Pobjoy Mint. The 8.00 grams coin has a diameter of 28.4 millimetres and a mintage limit of 3,500. A collector’s album is available for this coin set, which shares valuable information about each type of flamingo.

‘Flamingo’ comes from the Spanish word "flamengo", which means “flaming” or “flame-coloured”, because of the bird’s reddish or pink colour. There are six existing flamingo species and each one would be featured on this special set of coloured coins. These tropical birds are known for their long legs and long curvy necks. Their flock may contain more than a hundred birds. Their mating displays look like synchronized flamingo flamenco.

The Chilean Flamingos are very similar to American and greater flamingos. They can grow up to 110 to 130 cm tall and are very social. Its beak is white near its face, which gets blacker towards the tip. Their bill has lamellae that act as a filter to their food, like other species of Flamingos.

Image Courtesy: Pobjoy Mint

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