Silver Ounce 2024 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).

The 2024 edition celebrates the tenth anniversary of the series, and is the ninth design by John M. Mercanti.

This is the high relief version of the flagship bullion silver ounce; it has a smaller diameter, is thicker, and also differs in the obverse design.

The mint says about it:
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. With an expansive wingspan of up to 2.5 metres, it has the ability to fly tirelessly for many hours and frequently reaches altitudes of 2,000 metres and beyond on thermal air currents rising from Australia’s sun-baked terrain.

The coin portrays the magnificent raptor soaring high in the sky against a geometric pattern suggesting a sunburst.Gilded in 24-carat gold, the bird is seen in exquisite detail with the added depth and fullness of a high relief strike.