Silver Ounce 2015 Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle, High Relief, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian one ounce silver piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Ag for "silver") is a bullion coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints independently 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.

The Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle series has been issued by the Perth Mint since 2014, in various precious metal formats, including one ounce of silver.

The wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. Observed throughout mainland Australia and the island state of Tasmania, it favours lightly wooded country offering ready access to prey including rabbits, hares, lizards, snakes and other birds. The series features a new depiction of the eagle every year, created by renowned US engraver, John M. Mercanti, who was the twelfth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint until his retirement in late 2010.

The overall weight of the coin is slightly more than an ounce, so that the pure silver content is exactly 1.000 ASW (troy ounce Absolute Silver Weight).

This design is the first in the Australian Wedge-tailed Eagle series, and was issued in 2014 and then again in 2015.

Australia’s largest bird of prey, the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle, is known to soar through the sky for hours on end, frequently reaching altitudes of up to 2,000 metres. In the heat of the day, the eagle makes use of hot thermal air currents that drift up from the ground to reach these dizzying heights, whilst expending little energy.