Fifty Pence 2018 Gentoo Penguin, Coin from Falkland Islands - detailed information

The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, uses the Falkland Islands Pound as its currency; it is a variation of the United Kingdom Pound Sterling and has always been pegged to it at par. Coins and banknotes of both currencies are used interchangeably on the islands, although the reverse is not true - Falkland Islands coins and notes are not legal tender in the United Kingdom.

Apart from the regular circulation coinage, the territory also issues a large number of Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) coins in the 50 pence denomination. Some of these are round, and some of them are seven-sided and have the same specifications as their United Kingdom counterpart.

This coin is part of the Falklands Penguins II 50p Series by the British Pobjoy Mint, and features the Gentoo Penguin.

The Mint says about it:
Following the release of the first coin in the new series of Falkland Island Penguin 50p coins, we are delighted to announce the release of the second coin of the new set of five coins featuring the five breeds of penguin that are resident on the Islands at some point during the course of the year. Known as the penguin capital of the world, it is hard to believe that back in the 18th century these beautiful birds were victimised for oil and, in the case of some breeds, for their beautiful skin.

Thankfully, conservation and awareness has changed this and the penguins are now a favourite with tourists. The Gentoo is the most widespread occurring penguin on the Falkland Islands which are home to the largest population of this species of penguins on Earth. Gentoo penguins are a long-tailed species of penguins first described by science in 1781 on the Falkland Islands by naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster who travelled the world with Captain James Cook. The coin features a head-shot of a Gentoo penguin which is shown in glorious colour (on the coloured version) which features the unmistakable white bar over the crown on the head of this particular breed.