This
series of one ounce sterling silver proof coins features vibrantly coloured
marine life that is so lifelike it appears to be swimming off the coin. Mintages are exceptionally low, at just 1,500
for each coin.
Style 1 – Blue Ringed Octopus
2012 The intensive blue-ringed colouring makes the
octopus shine in the Pacific Ocean. However, it’s venom is one of the most
fatal in the world.
Although the blue-ringed octopus only reaches a maximum body length of
about 50 millimetres it is recognized as one of the most poisonous animals in
the world. By nature very shy, high
tides sometimes wash it into small tide pools and coral reefs where it hunts
small crabs and live clams. This is where humans find them, pick them up and
get bitten. The bite itself is small and not very painful but after only a few
minutes, respiratory depression and paralysis start to set in.
They only show their intensive colouring when they are under stress. Shortly after mating, the male dies, whereas
the female dies after the eggs hatch. The female only lays eggs once in her
lifetime.
Diameter: 38.61mm Material: SIlver Fineness: 0.925 Weight: 25 g Bullion Weight: 0.743 Troy Ounces
Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II Reverse: Blue-Ringed Octopus Finish: Proof Quantity Produced: 1500 Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II Theme(s): World Mint Collectibles
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