Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2024 Alicanto |
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The Tuvaluan Dollar is the currency of Tuvalu - a small nation in the Pacific Ocean. Tuvalu has never had banknotes of its own, and has been issuing coins since 1976; these circulate together with coins of the Australian Dollar, which is also legal tender in the country, and to which the Tuvaluan Dollar is pegged.
The Australian Perth Mint issues a large variety of non-circulating legal tender coins under the authority of Tuvalu. Some of these are in the silver two-ounce format (abbreviated as 2 oz). Strictly speaking, they are not bullion as they are priced at a premium and are targeted at collectors who appreciate them for their artistic merit and collectable value and not just for their precious metal content.
This antique coin with a central insert features the Alicanto.
The mint says about it: A large, magical bird in Chilean mythology, the Alicanto is said to inhabit outcrops in the Atacama Desert where it devours the region’s rich deposits of gold and silver. As a result, its plumage emits golden or silvery light during the night. |
Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage |
2,500
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Obverse | |
At the centre of the coin is a perspex dome insert containing authentic gold and silver particles suspended in clear liquid, creating a "captivating spectacle of shimmering beauty".
Above, a small effigy of King Charles III - his portrait by Jody Clark, below which in tiny letters the designer's initials JC.
Around the rim, the monarch's legend, the face value of the coin, the date of issue and the precious metal content: KING CHARLES III 2oz 9999 Ag 2024 2 DOLLARS TUVALU. "2oz 9999 Ag" means "two troy ounces of silver"; Ag is abbreviated from Argentum, the Latin word for silver. |
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Reverse | |
At the centre of the coin is a perspex dome insert containing authentic gold and silver particles suspended in clear liquid, creating a "captivating spectacle of shimmering beauty".
Curled around the rim, an artistic representation of the Alicanto with a glistening gold-coloured eye and a silvery head, wings and tail tinged with gold. The striking backdrop captures a gold-coloured moon amid desert mountains featuring a timeless antiqued treatment for added vintage charm.
On the left, the Perth Mint's mint mark; instead of the usual P, it isP125 - marking the mint's 125th anniversary. Below the dome, the designer's initials SR, for Sean Rogers.
There is no inscription. |
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Reverse Inscription |
(none) |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Silver content (Troy oz): 2.000 Finish: antique, with a central insert. Packaging: the coin is housed in an illustrated display case with a unique keyhole design to view the gold and silver particles floating in the Perspex dome, all visible without having to open the case. The packaging is embellished with elements of mysticism, featuring an intriguing circular design that is highlighted by a mesmerising illustration of the magical Alicanto bird surveying the desert landscape. The release is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Perth Mint SKU: 24P86AAA. Release price: AU$ 308.99. |
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