This new 5oz silver Proof high relief gilded coin showcases an Australian wedge-tailed eagle. Named for its long, distinctively shaped tail, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey and one of the biggest eagles in the world. With an impressive wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (about 8.2 feet), it can also be recognised from its long, powerful legs which are feathered all the way to its feet.
Wedge-tailed eagles can be observed across mainland Australia and Tasmania in a variety of habitats from coastal to alpine regions. The birds favor lightly wooded country offering favourable nesting sites from which they have a clear view of their territory and ready access to prey including reptiles and small mammals.
Each coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 5 oz of 99.99% pure silver in Proof quality and is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.
The Perth Mint will release no more than 1,000 of the Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle 2023 5oz Silver Proof High Relief Gilded Coin.
2023 Wedge-Tailed Eagle Design
The coin’s design portrays a wedge-tailed eagle with outstretched wings standing on a branch. Together with the coin’s rims and serrated edge, the bird is gilded in 24-carat gold. Also in the design is the inscription AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE, The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, and the coin’s weight, fineness and 2023 year-date.
The coin’s obverse portrays the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse, featuring the Jody Clark effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II supplemented with the dates of her reign, and the coin’s monetary denomination.
Technical Notes
The coin’s high relief reverse and obverse are minted on concave surfaces to ensure the optimum flow of metal is achieved by the strike of the die.
Presentation
The coin is housed in a classic display case within an illustrated shipper and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Perth Mint Designers
Designer and engraver Jody Clark joined the Royal Mint UK in 2012. His portrait of Queen Elizabeth II became the fifth official portrait in 2015 (View Designer’s Profile).
This is the eighth wedge-tailed eagle design for The Perth Mint by renowned sculptor and engraver John M. Mercanti, the 12th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. Mercanti also created the reverse design of the American Silver Eagle bullion coin and has produced more coin and medal designs than any other employee in the history of the U.S. Mint (View Designer’s Profile).
Coin Specifications
| Country: | Australia |
| Year Of Issue: | 2023 |
| Denomination: | 8 Dollars (AUD) |
| Mint Mark: | P |
| Mintage: | 1,000 |
| Alloy: | .9999 Silver |
| Weight: | 155.533 g |
| Diameter: | 50.90 mm |
| Thickness: | 11.85 mm |
| OBV Designer | Jody Clark |
| REV Designer | John M. Mercanti |
| Quality | Uncirculated |
