There are few creatures more closely associated with the continent of Australia than the crocodile. Everyone is familiar with the cuddly koala and the speedy, muscular kangaroo, but the crocodile is both loved and feared across the country. Now, you have a chance to see a harmless version of this prehistoric beast on the 2015 1 oz Proof Saltwater Crocodile Silver coin, available from Silver.com.
Coin Highlights:
- Extremely limited mintage; just 5,000 coins struck in total!
- Consists of one ounce of .999 pure silver.
- Bears a face value of $1 (AUD) backed by the Australian government.
- Struck in proof relief.
Saltwater crocodiles roam a massive swath of water along the border of the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. While the crocodiles, known as salties by some locals, are synonymous with the north and eastern coasts of Australia, they are found along the shores of numerous Southeast Asian nations, as well.
On the reverse side of this 2015 1 oz Proof Saltwater Crocodile Silver Coin is the image of one of these massive creatures, considered the largest reptiles in the world by body mass. The crocodile’s body curls around in the center of the design, with its mouth agape bearing its devastating jaws and teeth.
The reverse side of the coin features the standard right-profile image of Queen Elizabeth II. Designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and featured on coins from the United Kingdom to Australia and New Zealand, the effigy of Her Majesty is surrounded by engravings of “Elizabeth II,” “Australia,” and the coin’s face value, written as “1 Dollar.”
Australia’s Perth Mint is one of the most respected facilities in the world. Established in 1899, it was at that time the last of three Royal Mint facilities established in Australia during British imperial rule. Today, it is the nation’s oldest operating facility. Though many of its coins are considered legal tender under Australian law, the Royal Australian Mint is the national facility responsible for the production of circulation coinage.
If you have any questions about these proof coins, don’t hesitate to contact a Silver.com associate on the phone at 888-989-7223. You can also connect with us online via our live web chat or send us an email. If you are interested in similar coins, be sure to check out our collection of Perth Mint’s Silver Wildlife Coin Series.