This
sterling silver coin is struck
with a proof finish and features a vibrantly coloured Hawksbill
Turtle. With fine engraving, the turtle stands out from the colourful
ocean blue background with brilliant orange coral. The coin weighs
just under one ounce of sterling silver, is dated 2010, and has a legal tender
value of 1 Dollar in Tuvalu. Mintage
is limited to just 2,500 coins.
The hawksbill turtle is one of the smaller sea turtles and is
extrememly endangered. It is named for its narrow head and hawk-like
beak. Its head is narrow and has two pairs of scales in front of its
eyes. The shell is bony without ridges and has large, over-lapping scales
present and has four lateral scales, and elliptical in shape. Its flippers have
2 claws. The shell is orange, brown or yellow and hatchlings are mostly brown
with pale blotches on scutes.
Adults are 71 - 89 cm in carapace (shell) length, and can weigh between 46-70
kg. The hawksbill's narrow head and jaws shaped like a beak allow it to
get food from crevices in coral reefs. They eat sponges, squid and shrimp. They
are typically found around coastal reefs, rocky areas, and lagoons.
Tuvalu is
an island group located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and has been
independent since 1978.