| Coin | Silver Ounce 2021 Tautu - Porcupine Fish |
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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, and has also authorised some foreign mints to issue bullion coins under its jurisdiction - including in the internationally popular silver ounce format.
This design is the eighth issue in a twelve-year series of bullion coins called Marine Life (or Tokelau Sealife), and features the Porcupine Fish.
Porcupinefish are fish belonging to the family Diodontidae, also commonly called blowfish and, sometimes, balloonfish and globefish. Porcupinefish are medium- to large-sized fish, and are found in shallow temperate and tropical seas worldwide. A few species are found much further out from shore, wherein large schools of thousands of individuals can occur. They are generally slow-moving.
Porcupinefish have the ability to inflate their bodies by swallowing water or air, thereby becoming rounder. This increase in size (almost double vertically) reduces the range of potential predators to those with much bigger mouths. A second defence mechanism is provided by the sharp spines, which radiate outwards when the fish is inflated. |
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| Obverse | |
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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 2021 ~ 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. The portrait and the symbol below are frosted. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design depicts a porcupine fish swimming in the ocean.
Around above, the inscription TAUTU (the name of the fish in the local language of Tokelau); around below, PORCUPINE FISH.
The background is decorated with thin lines representing the water of the ocean. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
TAUTU PORCUPINE FISH |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated).
Packaging: in capsule, or 20 coins in heat sealed roll. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Marine Life series include:
- 1 oz Silver, Kakahi - Yellowfin Tuna, 2014
- 1/2 oz Silver, Kakahi - Yellowfin Tuna, 2014
- 0.5 g Gold, Kakahi - Yellowfin Tuna, 2015
- 1 oz Silver, Mokoha - Great White Shark, 2015
- 0.5 Gold, Mokoha - Great White Shark, 2015
- 1 oz Silver, Hakula - Sailfish, 2016
- 1 oz Silver, Kapoa - Barracuda, 2017
- 1 oz Silver, Mago-Taguta - Leopard Shark, 2018
- 1 oz Silver, Fonu - Loggerhead, 2019
- 1 oz Gold, Hahave - Flying Fish, 2020
- 1 oz Silver, Hahave - Flying Fish, 2020
- 1 oz Gold, Tautu - Porcupine Fish, 2021
- 1 oz Silver, Tautu - Porcupine Fish, 2021
- 1 oz Gold, Hakuhakulele - Lionfish, 2022
- 1 oz Silver, Hakuhakulele - Lionfish, 2022
- 1 oz Gold, Laulaufau - Longfin Bannerfish, 2024
- 1 oz Silver, Laulaufau - Longfin Bannerfish, 2024
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