| Coin | Silver Ounce 2016 Whales - Fin Whale |
|---|
|
The Pitcairn Islands is a non-sovereign British overseas territory in the Pacific Ocean. Having a population of fewer than fifty people, the territory has no need for local coinage and uses the New Zealand dollar as a medium of exchange. Pitcairn Islands began issuing its first commemorative coins in 1988. Though the Pitcairn Islands dollar is not a true currency in the strict sense of the word and is not used as a circulation coinage, it can be lawfully exchanged as tender and is considered a variety of the New Zealand dollar (although it is not legal tender in New Zealand). The Pitcairn Islands dollar exists only because of the coin collecting market, which provides a major staple for the tiny island nation.
The coins are struck by various foreign mints and use internationally popular formats, such as the one troy ounce (1oz) of silver. Some of them are released at prices much higher than their intrinsic value - such as this one - so are classified as Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) (for those sold at a low margin, see the bullion silver ounce section instead).
This coin is part of a four-coin series by the New Zealand Mint called Whales of the Southern Ocean, and features the Fin Whale. |
|
|
| Obverse | |
|---|
The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the value: ELIZABETH II PITCAIRN ISLANDS TWO DOLLARS 2016.
|
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
The reverse of the coin is coloured and depicts a whale swimming in the ocean. Above it, the inscription Fin Whale in hand-writing font.
In small letters around above, the precious metal content 1 oz 999 Fine Silver (one troy ounce of 99.9% silver).
Around below, the name of the series: WHALES OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN. |
|
| Reverse Inscription |
1 oz 999 Fine Silver Fin Whale WHALES OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN |
|---|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
| Notes | Finish: proof, coloured.
Packaging: in acrylic display block and presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Release date: 15 October 2016.
Release price: US$ 80.00. |
|---|
|
Search for Pitcairn Islands: Silver Ounce 2016 Whales - Fin Whale on eBay 