Gold Ounce 2023 Australian Antarctic Territory - Humpback Whale, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian one-ounce gold piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Au for "gold") is a bullion coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products.

Both mints endeavour to create coins with attractive designs, and to introduce new designs and themes often, in order to raise the numismatic value of the coins over the value of previous metal used.

This premium bullion coin is part of the Australian Antarctic Territory Series by the Royal Australian Mint, and features the Humpback Whale.

The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of East Antarctica claimed by Australia as an external territory. The territory's history dates to a claim on Enderby Land made by the United Kingdom in 1841, which was subsequently expanded and eventually transferred to Australia in 1933. It is the largest territory of Antarctica claimed by any nation by area.

Once hunted near to extinction, Humpback Whales are now found in oceans around the world and are a common sight off eastern and western Australia.

Humpback Whale protection commenced in Australian waters in 1963 and in 1965 the decline in global numbers was recognised granting these creatures global protection. Since then Australia’s Humpback Whale populations has increased from a low of 200 to an estimated 60,000 and is steadily increasing each year.

In January each year Humpback Whales leave Antarctica and begin the 3 month migration north to the warmer east Australian waters to mate and give birth. Each year between April and November the east coast of Australia comes alive with Humpback Whales. The species is noted for their spectacular breaching, making them popular with whale watchers. These creatures named because of their distinctive body shape can grow up to 17 metres and weigh as much as 40 tonnes. Male Humpbacks are also accomplished musicians with their complex songs lasting for more than half an hour.

Now encountered in oceans around the world, the Humpback Whale has returned from near extinction at the hands of whalers, who hunted them for their prized oil and meat.