Sea Life I Australia 2009-2010 Perth Mint Pure Silver 5-Coin Set Full Perfect

Description

AUSTRALIA
2009-2010
AUSTRALIAN SEA LIFE
SERIES I -
THE REEF
(FULL SET OF
5
COINS)
5 x
50c
, 1/2 Oz each, pure 99.99% silver proof coins with color, individually packaged in original Perth Mint presentation cases.
Australian waters host some of the most famous reef systems in the world and the largest -
Great Barrier Reef
. Reefs form a haven for thousands of fascinating (and often brilliantly colored) marine animals. From spectacular tropical corals to towering forests of kelp, these dynamic environments are teeming with aquatic life.
Celebrating five intriguing reef dwellers, this stunning Perth Mint series of pure silver proof collector coins includes:
Lionfish
,
Leafy Sea Dragon
,
Clownfish
,
Seahorse
, and
Moray Eel
ALL COIN
S ARE IN
PERFECT MINT CONDITION
. EACH COIN
COMES WITH SERIALIZED COA
AND
IN ORIGINAL PRESENTATION CASE WITH ILLUSTRATED OUTER CARTON B
OX
.
The
obverse
of each coin shows the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, facing right, with ELIZABETH II, name of issuing country, denomination, and the year of issue
circling in a legend around the coin's edge.
The
reverse
designs include:
A
Lionfish
, also known as the Turkey Fish, Dragon Fish, Scorpion or Fire Fish, is
one of the most venomous fish on the ocean floor
and is a
member of
Scorpaenidae
family. It is notable for extremely long and separated spines, and has a generally striped appearance (red, green, navy green, brown, orange, yellow, black, maroon, or white). Lionfish have venomous dorsal spines that are used purely for defense. When threatened, the fish often faces its attacker in an upside down posture which brings its spines to bear. However, a lionfish's sting is usually not fatal to humans, yet may cause extreme pain and possibly headaches, vomiting, and breathing difficulties.
The
Leafy Sea Dragon
(
Phycodurus eques
) is not a dragon at all but rather a marine fish related to the seahorse. It is the only member of the genus
Phycodurus
. These unusual creatures are found around southern and western Australia. Their name is derived from its appearance, with long, leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body. These protrusions are not used for propulsion; they serve only as camouflage. The leafy sea dragon propels itself by means of a pectoral fin on the ridge of its neck and a dorsal fin on its back closer to the tail end. These small fins are almost completely transparent and difficult to see as they undulate minutely to move the creature sedately through the water, completing the illusion of floating seaweed. It can also change color to blend in, but this ability relies on the sea dragon's diet, age, location, and stress level.
The
Clownfish
is one of the most spectacularly colored denizens of the reef ecosystem. Bright orange with three black-bordered white stripes, this remarkable fish has natural protection from the stinging cells on the waving tentacles of the sea anemone in which it prefers to live. Growing up to 4 inches (8 cm) in length, clownfish resides in sheltered tropical waters. There are about twenty-eight different species of clownfish. While most species have restricted distributions, others are widespread. They are generally highly host specific, meaning that certain species have very strong preferences for specific types of sea anemones.
The
Seahorse
is one of the most strangest denizens of the reef ecosystem.
Although they are in fact fish, they more closely resemble some sort of marine equine, with the head of horse and a curled tail. Approximately fifty different species of seahorse have been described by science. These range in size from the dwarf or pygmy seahorses (which can be under 15 mm or 2/3 of an inch long) to the Pacific seahorse, which can measure in at over a foot long. Seahorses lack teeth. They swallow small, bottom-dwelling organisms, such as plankton and mysids, whole, sucking them through their bony snout with a rapid snap of the head. Seahorse couples are thought to be monogamous and mate for life.
The
Moray Eel
looks like some form of sea serpent, but it is actually a streamlined fish. Contrary to the impression given by its snake-like body, long sharp teeth and open-mouth, the Moray Eel is not an aggressive fish. Although capable of delivering a nasty bite if provoked, its mouth is generally held open so that water can pass over its gills, so that it can breathe. Moray Eels are generally patterned, with camouflage is also present inside the mouth. Their jaws are wide, framing a protruding snout; they possess large teeth, designed to tear flesh as opposed to holding or chewing. Morays secrete protective mucus over their smooth, scale less skin which in some species contains a toxin. Moray Eels hide and rest in crevices during the day and hunt nocturnally, although they may ensnare small fish and crustaceans that pass near them during the day. They are carnivorous and feed primarily on other fish, cephalopods, mollusks, and crustaceans. Their eyes are rather small; morays rely on their highly developed sense of smell, lying in wait to ambush prey. Moray eels' heads are too narrow to create the negative pressure that most fish use to swallow prey. Quite possibly because of this, they have a second set of jaws in their throat called pharyngeal jaws, which also possess teeth. When feeding, morays launch these jaws into the mouth, where they grasp prey and transport it into the throat and digestive system. Moray eels are the only animal that uses pharyngeal jaws to actively capture and restrain prey. Larger morays are capable of seriously wounding humans.
Country
Australia
Year of Issue
2009-2010 (5 coins)
Face Value
5 x 50 cents
Weight
15.573 g x 5
Diameter
36.60 mm
Mintage
10,000 (each)
Finish
Proof with Color
Composition
99.99% Fine Silver
Edge
Serrated
Artist
WR
COA/Case
Yes/Yes
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.
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OF THE
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AND
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IF THE COIN IS NOT AS DESCRIBED
.
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and free returns if the item is not as described or arrives defective. All other returns will have to be dealt with on case by case basis and may incur restocking fees. Please contact me if you have any issues with any item purchased from me and I will do everything in my power to find a mutually satisfactory solution.