Silver Ounce 2013 Saltwater Crocodile - Bindi, Colour, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian one ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1 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 a Royal Australian Mint series featuring saltwater crocodiles, which was issued in cooperation with Australia Zoo - home of the legendary "Crocodile Hunter", Steve Irwin. Issued over four years from 2013 to 2016, the series features two different depictions of a crocodile every year.

This first issue of the series is dedicated to the Saltwater Crocodile Bindi, Steve Irwin's favourite crocodile.

By his wildlife documentary series "The Crocodile Hunter", Steve Irwin achieved worldwide fame. He was an expert and one of a kind for crocodile capture and management techniques. At the age of 30 he took over the management of the "Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park" from his parents, which he re-named into Australia Zoo.