2010 Husky Silver Coin Continues Australian Antarctic Territory Series

Portraying a beauty that will inspire the imagination of coin collectors and animal lovers around the world, the Perth Mint has released the seventh coin in the highly successfully Australian Antarctic Territory series, the 2010 Husky Silver Proof Coin.

Struck from one ounce of 99.9% pure silver, the Husky coin features a colorful image of the Antarctic sky hovering above a snow-covered landscape. Seen out-fitted for pulling a sled, a team of huskies is doing their part in the exploration and other scientific pursuits of those studying the frozen continent. Off to the side, the elegant figure of a husky is seen in full color.

Starting in 1954 with the opening of Mawson Station, huskies were a daily part of the Australian scientific contingent on Antarctica They remained an integral part of the countries endeavors there until 1993. At that time, all of the dogs were removed due to an environmental treaty that had been signed which required all introduced species to be taken off the continent.

Don’t worry about what happened to those dogs! The older ones were taken to Australia to live out their remaining days while the younger working huskies were taken to the United States to continue the life-style in which they had become accustomed.

Each of these coins are considered legal tender under the Australian Currency Act of 1965 and as such have a face value of one dollar and feature the image of Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.

It is worth noting that this series has proved extremely popular among collectors and the limited mintage of only 7,500 could sell out quickly. In looking at the previous coins from the series, five of the first six boast a sold-out status. These include the 2004 Mawson Station coin, the 2005 Leopard Seal coin, the 2006 Edgeworth David Base coin, the 2007 Davis Station coin and the 2008 Humpback Whale coin.

Only last year’s South Magnetic Pole coin has yet to achieve the sold-out indicator.

The 2010 Husky coin is available now from the Perth Mint Web site for AUS $81.36 (~US $74.50) and ships in a blue presentation case with a numbered certificate of authenticity all enclosed in an illustrated shipper.

About The Perth Mint from Australia

The Perth Mint (http://www.perthmint.com.au/) wholly-owned by the State Government of Western Australia, is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. The Mint opened in 1899 in response to the discovery of rich gold deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. It was Australia’s third branch of Britain’s Royal Mint – the others being the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint (both closed).