Coin | Silver Ounce 2021 Whale Shark |
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Apart from its regular circulating coinage, Solomon Islands has authorised a number of private mints to issue collector coins in precious metals, which are legal tender in the country but are not intended for general circulation. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes - typically, one ounce of silver (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). These are usually dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to the country itself.
The Mint says about this coin: The Giants of the Galápagos Islands series showcases the animals unique to these islands which were studies by Charles Darwin. This second coin, the Whale Shark, might sound intimidating but in fact they’re a solitary, slow filter-feeding type of shark that’s also the biggest fish in the world. Measuring up to 17 meters long, they’re like gentle sea giants. Unlike most of their species, whale sharks don’t attack other fish despite its 1.4 meter wide mouth. Instead, it sieves plankton, baitfish, squid, and crustaceans through its gills as it cruises along.
Delicately colourised to capture the whale shark’s unusual greyish blue hue, this magnificent coin captures its calm majesty. Limited mintage of 2,500 coins per issue and individually serialised. |
Mint | PAMP |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage | 2,500 |
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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 tiny 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 SOLOMON ISLANDS 2 DOLLARS 2021.
Around the portrait, parts of the reef continuing that from the reverse.
Below the date, the unique serial number of the coin. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse depicts, in colour, a giant Whale Shark above a coral reef; its head and tail extend beyond the coin's traditional circular edge.
Around above, the inscription GIANTS OF THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS; around below right, 999.9 SILVER 1 TROY OUNCE. |
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Reverse Inscription |
GIANTS OF THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS 999.9 SILVER 1 TROY OUNCE |
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Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: proof, coloured. Packaging: the coin is sealed in a custom shaped capsule and housed in an attractive display folder, which is printed with a Certificate of Authenticity as well as fun facts about the Galapagos Islands and its protected creatures. PAMP SKU: S-MKS-1GALAPAWHALESHA |
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See also |
Solomon Islands coins with special shapes made by PAMP (ordered by size / series / year): - 2 oz Silver, Ocean Predator - Great White Shark, 2021 - 2 oz Silver, Ocean Predator - Polar Bear, 2021 - 2 oz Silver, Ocean Predator - Killer Whale, 2022 - 2 oz Silver, Dinosaurs of North America - Tyrannosaurus Rex, 2021 - 2 oz Silver, Dinosaurs of North America - Stegosaurus, 2022 - 2 oz Silver, America the Free - Statue of Liberty, 2022 - 1 oz Silver, Hunters of the Deep - Great White Shark, 2019 - 1 oz Silver, Hunters of the Deep - Great Hammerhead Shark, 2020 - 1 oz Silver, Hunters of the Deep - Tiger Shark, 2020 - 1 oz Silver, Hunters of the Sky - Bald Eagle, 2019 - 1 oz Silver, Hunters of the Sky - Red-Tailed Hawk, 2020 - 1 oz Silver, Hunters of the Sky - Horned Owl, 2020 - 1 oz Silver Coloured, Santa Claus, 2020 - 1 oz Silver Coloured, U.F.O., 2020 - 1 oz Silver Proof Coloured, Giants of the Galápagos - Giant Seahorse, 2020 - 1 oz Silver Proof Coloured, Giants of the Galápagos - Whale Shark, 2021 - 1 oz Silver Proof Coloured, Giants of the Galápagos - Galápagos Tortoise, 2021 - 1 oz Silver, Animals of Africa - African Elephant, 2021 - 1 oz Silver, Animals of Africa - African Lion, 2021 - 1 oz Silver, Animals of Africa - Nile Crocodile, 2021 - 1 oz Silver, Animals of Africa - Black Rhino, 2022 - 1 oz Silver Coloured, Guitar Pick, 2021 - 1 oz Silver, Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar - Surf Green Colour, 2022 - 1 oz Silver Coloured, Fender Telecaster Electric Guitar, 2021 - 1 oz Silver, Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar - Black Colour, 2021 - 1 oz Silver, Nutcracker, 2021
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