Perth Mint – Australia: New Mega-size Gold And Silver Proof Coins Feature Montage Design Of 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. Found throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania and southern Papua New Guinea, the bird has an impressive wingspan of up to 2.7 metres or 8.8 feet. During the breeding season, wedge-tailed eagle pairs perch close to each other and preen one another. They will also perform dramatic aerobatic display flights together over their territory, including impressive loop-the-loop feats. The wedge-tailed eagle usually nests in the fork of a tree between one and 30 metres or over 100 feet above the ground, but if no suitable sites are available they can build a nest on a cliff edge. 

Exceptionally adept at flight, Wedge-tailed eagles are highly aerial, soaring for hours on end without wingbeat and seemingly without effort, regularly reaching 1800 metres or 5900 feet high and sometimes considerably higher, though this purpose of soaring is unknown. Distinctly carnivorous, most prey of the wedge-tailed eagles is captured on the ground in gliding attacks or less frequently in the air. Choice of prey is very much a matter of convenience and opportunity but since the arrival of Europeans, the introduction of rabbits and brown hares has become the primary items of the eagle's diet in many areas. Larger native animals such as wallabies, small kangaroos, possums, wombats, koalas, and bandicoots are also prey. Currently, Australian Wedge-tailed eagles are listed as endangered by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 with fewer than 200 pairs left in the wild. 

Sculpted for The Perth Mint by renowned US engraver, John M. Mercanti, formerly the 12th Chief Engraver of the US Mint, he has completed nine designs for the internationally popular Wedge-tailed Eagle Series. During his tenure of more than thirty six years, the renowned American sculptor and engraver produced more coin and medal designs than any other employee in the US Mint’s history. The coin’s reverse comprises a montage of eight illustrations of Australia’s largest bird of prey, a distinctive raptor easily identified by its wedge-shaped tail and fully feathered legs. Included in the design is the inscription AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE centred with the wedge-tailed eagles placed around. A P125 mintmark signifying The Perth Mint’s 125th anniversary is shown just to the lower right near the rim. The year of issue, 2024 and the specifications 10oz 9999 GOLD or 10oz 9999 SILVER are shown near the lower left below the commemorative inscription. The obverse side includes the Commonwealth effigy of HM King Charles III created by Engraver Dan Thorne along with the legend CHARLES III AUSTRALIA. Above the King’s likeness is a representation of Mercanti’s original design for the Wedge-tailed Eagle Series, first issued in 2014 encircled. Below, the denomination 1000 DOLLARS (gold) or 10 DOLLARS (silver) 

Available from the 9th December, the gold proof $1000 dollar coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom polished hardwood case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The $10 silver proof coin is encapsulated and is presented in a custom matte black case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For more information, please visit the Perth Mint’s e-webshop.

Collectors / investors in the United States can inquire about this product at Asset Management / GovMint.

Authorised Distributor

Collectors / investors in Europe can inquire about this product at EMK Munzen, Authorised Distributor.