Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl, Coin from Tokelau - detailed information

Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl, Coin from Tokelau
CoinSilver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl

Tokelau, known previously as the Tokelau Islands, is a dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean. It uses the New Zealand Dollar as circulation currency, but has been issuing a variety of non-circulating coins since 1978. These are denominated in dollars or "Tala" (the local word for dollar) and cents.

The country has also authorised some foreign mints to issue non circulating coins under its jurisdiction, such as this 1 oz (one ounce) silver coin.

The Scops Owl is the first of the Wisdom of Owls series, featuring a massive 65mm 1oz pure silver coin with a minimalist design and high quality minting.

Tokelau pre-approved 16 stylised owl designs, in the Wisdom of Owls Series, the first of which - the Scops Owl - was released in 2018.

Scops owls belong to the genus Otus, the largest genus of owls in terms of the number of species. Scops owls are coloured in various brownish hues, sometimes with a lighter underside and/or face, which helps to camouflage them against the bark of trees. Scops owls hunt from perches in semi-open landscapes. They prefer areas which contain old trees with hollows as these are home to their prey which includes insects, reptiles, small mammals such as bats and mice and other small birds. Scops owls have a good sense of hearing which helps them locate their prey in any habitat. They also possess well-developed raptorial claws and a curved bill, both of which are used for tearing their prey into small pieces.

Scops owls are primarily solitary birds. Most species lay and incubate their eggs in a cavity nest that was originally made by another animal. During the incubation period, the male will feed the female. These birds are monogamous, with biparental care, and only fledge one young per year. Scops owls have only a single type of call which consists of a series of whistles or high-pitched hoots, given with a frequency of 4 calls per second or less, or of a single, drawn-out whistle.

MintMint of Norway Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 1,000
Obverse
Tokelau / Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl - obverse photo

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 ~ TOKELAU 2018 ~ FIVE DOLLARS.

Above the value and denomination, divided by the Queen's portrait, the precious metal content: 1 oz. 999 SILVER (one troy ounce of 99.9% silver).

Below the Queen's effigy, the national badge of Tokelau depicting a "tuluma" - a traditional Tokelauan carved wooden “tackle box” used by local fishermen. A cross in the centre of the tuluma and the inscription below, TOKELAU MO TE ATUA ("Tokelau for God") reflect the strong influence of Christianity in Tokelau.

The rim is decorated with a geometric pattern.

Obverse Inscription ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2018 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Reverse
Tokelau / Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl - reverse photo

The reverse of the coin depicts a stylised owl facing the viewer.

Around above, the name of the series: OWLS. Around below, the name of the owl type this coin is dedicated to: SCOPS OWL.

The rim is decorated with floral motifs.

Reverse Inscription OWLS SCOPS OWL
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Finish: proof, large diameter.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
issue price: AU$ 110.00

The coin series was initiated by Australian company Treasures of Oz, and for this first issue the striking of the coins was outsourced to the Mint of Norway. The series then continued in 2021 under the management (and production) of American precious metals company APMEX.

See also

The Wisdom of Owls series of coins includes:
- 1 oz Silver, Scops Owl, Tokelau 2018
- 1 oz Silver, Great Horned Owl, Tokelau 2021
- 1 oz Silver, Northern Pygmy Owl, Tokelau 2021
- 1 oz Silver, Whiskered Screech Owl, Tokelau 2022
- 1 oz Silver, Australian Masked Owl, Tokelau 2022
- 1 oz Silver, Stygian Owl, Chad 2024
- 1 oz Silver, Eastern Screech Owl, Chad 2024

All (25) coins of type: Silver Ounce (1 oz)
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Silver Ounce 1994 Olympic Games - Swimming 40,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait TOKELAU 1994
Silver Ounce 1994 Olympic Games - Sailboarding 40,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait TOKELAU 1994
Silver Ounce 2014 Unicorn 60,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait · ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2014 · ~ FIVE DOLLARS - 1 oz 999 Silver ~
Silver Ounce 2014 Pegasus 60,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait · ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2014 · ~ FIVE DOLLARS - 1 oz 999 Silver ~
Silver Ounce 2015 Ace of Spades 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ONE DOLLAR ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2015 1oz 999 Silver
Silver Ounce 2015 Ace of Hearts 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ONE DOLLAR ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2015 1oz 999 Silver
Silver Ounce 2015 Ace of Diamonds 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ONE DOLLAR ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2015 1oz 999 Silver
Silver Ounce 2015 Ace of Clubs 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ONE DOLLAR ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2015 1oz 999 Silver
Silver Ounce 2016 Year of the Monkey - Mirror Monkey 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2016 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2017 Year of the Rooster - Mirror Rooster 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2017 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2018 Year of the Dog - Mirror Dog 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2018 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl 1,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2018 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2019 Year of the Pig - Mirror Pig 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2019 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat - Mirror Rat 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2020 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2020 Royal Portraits 2,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2021 5 DOLLARS 1oz 999 Ag
Silver Ounce 2021 Year of the Ox - Mirror Ox 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2021 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2021 Diana - Princess of Wales 1,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Uncouped Portrait by Jody Clark ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2021 5 DOLLARS 1oz 999 Ag
Silver Ounce 2022 Year of the Tiger - Mirror Tiger 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2022 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Accession 1,952 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2022 5 DOLLARS 1oz 999 Ag
Silver Ounce 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 1,952 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2022 5 DOLLARS 1oz 999 Ag
Silver Ounce 2022 Diana - Princess of Wales 2,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2022 5 DOLLARS 1oz 999 Ag
Silver Ounce 2023 Year of the Rabbit - Mirror Rabbit 500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ~ ELIZABETH II ~ TOKELAU 2023 ~ FIVE DOLLARS
Silver Ounce 2023 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation 1,953 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH II TOKELAU 2023 5 DOLLARS 1oz 999 Ag
Silver Ounce 2024 Year of the Dragon - Mirror Dragon 500 King Charles III - Portrait by Dan Thorne CHARLES III TOKELAU 2024 FIVE DOLLARS 1 OZ. 999 SILVER
Silver Ounce 2025 Year of the Snake - Mirror Snake 500 King Charles III - Portrait by Dan Thorne CHARLES III TOKELAU 2025 FIVE DOLLARS 1 OZ. 999 SILVER
Advertising
Buy Austrian Silver Philharmonics Online
Buy Austrian Silver Philharmonics Online
My Collection
Please sign up and/or log in.
You will then be able to manage your collection and record whether you have or want this coin.
Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl: Details
CountryTokelau
CurrencyTokelau Dollar
Coin TypeSilver Ounce (1 oz)
Issued2018
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait, by Ian Rank-Broadley
Face Value5 (x Dollar)
Total Mintage1,000
CurrentYes
Material0.999 Silver
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size65.0000 mm
Mass31.1000 g
OCC IDAPVZ-EYRC-JAWG-OLMD
Search Similar Coins to Buy (Affiliate Ad)
Share or Bookmark this Page
Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl: Photos
ImageDetails
Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl: Photo 2018 Tokelau 1 oz Proof Silver Scops Owl / thumbnail 2018 Tokelau 1 oz Proof Silver Scops Owl
Copyright: APMEX
Source
Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl: Photo 2018 Tokelau 1 oz Proof Silver Scops Owl / thumbnail 2018 Tokelau 1 oz Proof Silver Scops Owl
Copyright: APMEX
Source
Silver Ounce 2018 Scops Owl: Photo 2018 Tokelau 1 oz Proof Silver Scops Owl / thumbnail 2018 Tokelau 1 oz Proof Silver Scops Owl
Copyright: APMEX
Source