Australia 2009 KOALA Bear Smiling in Eucalyptus Tree $1 1 Oz Pure Silver in OGP

Description: In Stock and Ready for Immediate Shipment!Long SOLD OUT at the Perth Mint! A friendly, smiling koala regards us from his comfortable perch in an eucalyptus tree on this hard to find, pure silver beauty! This is the famous 2009 Koala 1 Oz Silver coin from the Perth Mint, beloved within the Silver Koala series for its unique finish. We'd describe the obverse as having a prooflike finish, with the koala highlighted in frosted white cameo against a multi-faceted, mirror-like field. This field seems to shimmer when moved in the light, due to the unusual faceting. We would say the reverse side has a reverse prooflike finish, with the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II completely mirrored and set inside a white frosted field. The koala is one of the iconic symbols of Australia, made all the more desirable by the Perth Mint's execution of this cute and cuddly critter in pure silver, artistically rendered in a frosted cameo, proof-like finish with an unique "shimmer" background or fields. This beautiful coin is part of the highly collectible series of Pure Silver Koalas. The obverse design of this series, with the koala bear, changes each year, further enhancing its collectiblity. The reverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of the British Commonwealth, of which Australia is a member. The Pure Silver Koala has a face value of one dollar and can be difficult to locate, much less in pristine condition, so we advise you to acquire them when you find them. A Most Unusual and Surprising Bear! Despite its appearance, the koala bear isn't really a bear at all, but rather a marsupial. Nonetheless it fascinates us because it's so darn cute - it looks like a living teddy bear! Appearances can be deceiving here, too, because koalas aren't cuddly, either. They are arboreal (tree-dwelling), so they have very strong, sharp claws for climbing (and their bite can cause injury, as well). Koala bears live nearly their entire lives in the eucalyptus (gum) tree, where they feed almost exclusively on its leaves. They have a very low metabolism for a mammal, so they spend up to 20 hours a day resting and sleeping (and the rest mostly eating). Eucalypt leaves are high in toxic chemicals such as phenols and terpenes, which only the koala has adapted to deal with - the toxins are neutralized in its specialized liver. Marsupials are unusual, and, many scientists believe, more primitive, mammals. Their best-known characteristic is the pouch for their young, and the koala is no exception. The babies, called joeys, are only a quarter-inch long when born, and enter the world hairless, blind and earless, so the safety of mother koala's pouch is a necessity for its first six months of life. For its second half-year the joey will generally ride on mom's back. Koala Fun Facts You'd think that it couldn't get any more odd than a living stuffed animal that spends its entire life in, and only eats the leaves of, one kind of tree. If so, you'd be wrong - koalas are among Nature's most unusual and unique creatures. Here's a couple of other oddities about these fascinating fur balls. Koalas are often thought to be silent, and they are most of the time, but males have a very loud mating call that can be heard for a distance of about one kilometer away during the breeding season! When attacked, koalas may issue a loud cry, which is often likened to that of a human baby. The koala bear is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. Koala fingerprints are remarkably similar to human fingerprints—even when viewed with an electron microscope, it can be quite difficult for an expert to distinguish between the two! About the Artist The designer of this unique silver dollar is none other than Darryl Bellotti, who also has designed the Discover Australia - The Dreaming coins as well as the Rectangular Dreaming coins for the Perth Mint. He is an indigenous or native Australian, what we call an Aborigine, who for generations untold coexisted with the endemic Australian animals, hunting them as necessary but always respecting their Spirits. For more information and pictures of Australian aboriginal artist Darryl Bellotti, including an extensive interview, please see the presentation below. Obverse A cute koala appears to be smiling as he regards us from his comfortable perch on the branch of a gum (eucalyptus) tree. The Perth Mint "P" mint mark is judiciously hidden in the bark of the branch, by the koala's right front paw, at the 9:30 position near the rim. The legend 1 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity. Reverse Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl drop earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II, the date of issue and denomination also appear. Specifications Country Australia Mint Perth Mint of Australia Year of Issue 2009 Face Value One Dollar Weight 31.135 g Diameter 40.60 mm Gauge (Thickness) 4.00 mm Finish Proof-Like Brilliant Uncircuated Composition .999 Fine (Pure) Silver Edge Reeded (milled, serrated) Artist Darryl Bellotti (obverse) Ian Rank-Broadley (reverse) Packaging In Original Mint Capsule of Issue About The Artist - Darryl Bellotti, Indigenous Coin Designer Much of the inspiration for Darryl Bellotti's stunning artistic creations comes from traditional Aboriginal art. Yet there is a contemporary, innovative feel to his work that stamps it with his own unique style. “You will identify it as Australian Indigenous art, but I also want you to recognize it as mine as soon as you see it,” is the way he explains his aim. Darryl deliberately sets out to challenge people's understanding of what they perceive as Indigenous art. For example, he resists the use of too many dots, which would not have been successful in the context of his coin designs. He also strives for a modern edge, finding the design technology available at the Mint to be helpful. “I am an Indigenous person of Australia, but I'm also modern in the way that I can create artwork on the computer,” he says. Behind the designs for The Dreaming Series lies Darryl's fascination with the interaction of Australia's native wildlife within the vast and varied landscape. The inspiration for each piece emerges as he imagines himself in the midst of the natural environment, where he relives the experience of its colors, warmth, textures and sounds in his mind. It comes naturally to him, having been brought up for an expected life in the bush. Intensely familiar with many Australian native animals, Darryl observes them in his mind's eye, searching for a telling movement or posture which will reveal its experience. The different treatments of the kangaroo illustrate the result of this contemplative process. On the silver coin he shows its power and speed—a reaction maybe to being startled by a predator or a bush fire. The colored element, symbolizing Australia's red dirt, seemingly explodes beneath the impact of its feet. In contrast, the gold coin portrays the animal in a calm mood – its relaxed, comfortable stance revealing a tranquil, undisturbed moment, maybe at dusk as it comes out to feed. With his platinum designs, Darryl subtly reminds us that the animals existed in harmony with the land long before the appearance of mankind. References to courtship rituals and progeny are used to symbolize their ancient process of renewal. “I have an inherent ability to tell a story,” Darryl explains, “My art, as well as the music I write, is art of my story telling.” In the case of The Dreaming Series, it conveys the respect he has for the animals in the beauty of their own environment. The message reflects his optimism for the future. “It feels as though everyone is starting to wake up and see things the way my people have been taught for so long through ancient stories about the Dreaming.” Each coin design, depicted with fluid shapes and patterns inspired by nature, represents Darryl's tribute to the animal. “My main hope is that people might say, 'Oh, why is this happening?', or 'Why is the animal doing that?' They may never have even seen a brolga before. If they think it's beautiful, they might learn a bit more about it. They might want to learn about the traditional people who live on the land inhabited by these animals.” Copyright © 2024 Talisman World Coins and Medals. All Rights Reserved.

Price: 44.95 USD

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri

End Time: 2024-08-02T19:52:37.000Z

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