2017 Perth Mint Emperor Penguin 1/2 oz Silver Proof Coin

The second coin in the Polar Babies series features the adorable emperor penguin.

The emperor penguin is the only animal that breeds during the freezing Antarctic winter. The female lays a single egg and then leaves it behind to go on an extended hunting trip which can take approximately two months. Sometimes travelling up to 80 kilometres away, the female then feeds on fish, squid and krill before eventually returning to the breeding site to regurgitate the food for her young when they have hatched. These incredible birds can be found breeding in colonies scattered around Antarctica.

The emperor penguin is the largest of all penguins standing up to 115 centimetres tall and weighing up to 40 kilograms. Emperor penguin chicks are mostly a silvery grey in colour, with a black head and a conspicuous white mask around their eyes, cheeks and throat.

Each coin is struck from 1/2oz of 99.99% pure silver in proof quality.

The coin’s reverse features an emperor penguin chick resting on ice. The inscription EMPEROR PENGUIN, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, also appear in the design.

Each coin is issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu and features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2017 year-date and the monetary denomination on its obverse.

The Perth Mint will release no more than 5,000 of the Polar Babies – Emperor Penguin 2017 1/2oz Silver Proof Coin.

The set is housed in a classic Perth Mint presentation case with a themed, customised shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.