Silver Two Ounces 2022 Black Swan Maali, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The Australian two ounces silver piece (abbreviated as 2 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.

The Mint says about this coin:
We’re delighted to present this special 2oz antiqued silver coin portraying an original coloured painting of a black swan by Western Australian Indigenous artist Kevin Bynder. Known as "maali" to many Nyoongar people, the majestic waterbird is of spiritual significance in the ancestral stories of many First Nations Australians.

A proud Whadjuk-Yuet-Ballardong man, Kevin Bynder is a passionate artist and teacher whose diverse portfolio of vibrant and striking works includes many Indigenous guernsey and shirt designs for high-profile sporting franchises, as well as murals in both public and private spaces in and around Perth. Kevin’s works are inspired by Western Australia’s natural environment and reflect the history and knowledge of his people who have lived on Nyoongar country for tens of thousands of years.

A stunning example of Kevin’s technique, the coin artistry represents maali descending on water with its enormous wings stretched skywards. The background is formed by stylised patterns of coloured dots inspired by a palette of ochre pigments used by Indigenous artists through time - reds and browns for the landscape, blues, greens and other hues for the water and its currents.