The Perth Mint of Australia has issued the third release of its Australian Sea Life II series – the Reef Surgeonfish 1/2 Oz Silver Proof Coin. Shown on the reverse of the silver proof coin is a design depicting the Reef Surgeonfish complete with a colorized image of the creature.
Surgeonfish Silver Proof Coin
Each of the Reef Surgeonfish Silver Proof Coins is struck from 1/2 ounce of 99.9% pure silver. The Perth indicates that the strike will feature a maximum mintage of only 10,000.
The release of this coin follows two other strikes already issued as part of the Australian Sea Life II series, namely the Hawksbill Turtle Silver Proof Coin and the Starfish Silver Proof Coin. Another two strikes are planned by the Perth to follow the Surgeonfish Coin which will feature reverses emblematic of an octopus and a manta ray.
As the name of the series indicates, it was actually created as a follow-up to a previous Sea Life series which had proved extremely popular with collectors. Each coin in that series experienced a complete sell-out from the Perth. Those strikes featured reverses containing images of a lionfish, a leafy sea dragon, a clownfish, a seahorse and a Moray Eel.
Like those previous releases of both series, these Surgeonfish Coins are each struck as legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965. They feature a face value of AUS $.50.
As legal tender of Australia, the obverse of each coin contains a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of England. The portrait was created by Ian Rank-Broadley and is surrounded by the inscriptions of "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "2012," "50 CENTS" and "1/2 OZ 999 SILVER."
The reverse contains the design showcasing the reef surgeonfish with that creature colored to its real-life hues including blues, blacks and yellows. Reverse inscriptions include "AUSTRALIAN SEA LIFE II," "THE REEF" and "SURGEONFISH."
The Reef Surgeonfish 1/2 Oz Silver Proof Coin is currently available directly from the Perth Mint for AUS $ 61.36. Each will come with a presentation case, a numbered certificate of authenticity and an illustrated shipper.
Those interested in the entire Sea Life II series may want to also consider the five-coin display sleeve to house the series.