The Perth Mint has released the fourth coin within the Australian Opal series, which features nocturnal animals crafted in pure Australian opal. The series began last year with coins featuring the Koala and Wombat. Earlier this year, the third release featured the Kangaroo. There will be a total of eight different coins included in the series.
The pygmy possum is a mouse-sized marsupial with a long, prehensile tail that can curl around and grip branches. The animal is often found in a leaf-lined nest in tree hollows and feeds on nectar, pollen, seeds, fruit and small insects.
The reverse design of the coin features an inner panel design of a pygmy possum on a banksia branch, crafted in pure Australian opal. The outer panel includes banksia leaves and blossoms, a first quarter moon, and the Southern Cross constellation. Inscriptions include “PYGMY POSSUM” at the base and “2013 1 oz 999 silver” near the right edge of the coin.
The obverse design contains the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with the “1 DOLLAR” legal tender denomination below.
Each coin is struck in 1 toy ounce of .999 fine silver to proof quality. The diameter is 36.60 mm and the thickness is 4.5 mm. The maximum mintage has been established at 8,000 pieces worldwide.
The 2013 Australian Opal Pygmy Possum 1 oz Silver Proof Coins are housed in a special display case with a light, which turns on when the case is opened. This is intended to represent the moon shining down on the animal. The packaging is completed with an illustrated outer shipper and numbered certificate of authenticity.
For further information and ordering, please visit the Perth Mint’s product page.
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