Silver Five Ounces 2016 Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian five ounces silver piece (abbreviated as 5 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion and commemorative 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 coin is part of the Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle series by the Perth Mint, and the second design by John M. Mercanti (issued in 2016 and 2017 only).

The Mint says about it:
"The majestic wedge-tailed eagle or ‘wedgie’ as they are fondly known is the largest bird of prey in Australia and the fifth largest eagle in the world. These incredible birds build nests in high trees out of hundreds of dead wooden sticks. Their nests can measure up to two metres wide, three to four metres tall and can weigh up to 400 kilograms!

The coin’s reverse depicts an impressive high relief and majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle perching on a tree branch. For this design, The Perth Mint commissioned American sculptor and engraver, John M. Mercanti, the 12th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. John Mercanti 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.

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."