Fifty Pence 2018 Macaroni 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 Macaroni Penguin.

The Mint says about it:
Following the amazing success of the first set of Falkland Islands Penguin 50p coins in 2017, we are delighted to announce the release of a brand 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 coin features a head shot of a Macaroni penguin which is shown in glorious colour (on the coloured version) which really highlights the most distinctive feature of this breed - the golden crests which start at the centre of the forehead and then sweep above the eyes. Found in the Sub Antarctic to the Antarctic peninsula, the Macaroni is one of the six species of crested penguins. The Macaroni Penguin has the largest population of all penguins, but in the Falklands occur in very small numbers and best amongst Rockhopper colonies in the Islands. Like all penguins it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine lifestyle.