2013 Rainbow Lorikeet Silver Coin Fourth in Birds of Australia Series

The Birds of Australia Series from the Perth Mint is expanded by its fourth silver coin with the 2013 Rainbow Lorikeet Silver Proof Coin.

Each coin is struck from one-half ounce of 99.9% pure silver to proof quality with a colored image of a Rainbow Lorikeet featured on the reverse. The maximum mintage of this release is limited to 10,000.

Rainbow Lorikeet parrots are native to the northern and eastern parts of Australia including areas from Queensland to South Australia and northwest Tasmania. Anyone who catches a glimpse of one of these parrots will easily understand the reasoning behind their name. Their colorings are extremely bright and varied with hues of blue, yellow, green and orange.

Rainbow Lorikeets feed mainly on fruits, pollen and nectar. That diet is aided by a papillate appendage on the end of their tongues which helps to "brush" the pollen and nectar into their mouths. Pairs of the birds are often seen together and they are known to aggressively defend and protect their nesting areas, even from larger birds.

Rainbow Lorikeet Silver Coin Designs and Specifications

Shown on the reverse of the Rainbow Lorikeet Silver Coin is a full color image of one of the birds. The design was completed by Perth Mint artist Natasha Muhl and shows an adult bird perched on some native foliage. Inscribed above the design is "RAINBOW LORIKEET." To the left are the artist’s initials of "NM" and the Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mint mark.

The obverse contains Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Inscriptions surrounding the portrait include "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "1/2 OZ 999 SILVER," "2013" and "50 CENTS."

These silver coins are all struck as legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965. As indicated by the obverse inscriptions, their face value is 50 Cents.

Each silver coin is presented in a black Perth Mint presentation case along with an illustrated shipper. A numbered certificate of authenticity is also included that indicates the maximum 10,000 mintage.

Specifications of the strike include a diameter of 36.60 mm, a thickness of 2.30 mm and a gross weight of 15.591 grams.

The Birds of Australia Series will include a total of five different silver coins when completed. As mentioned, the Rainbow Lorikeet Silver Coin is offered as the fourth of the program. Previous releases include silver coins depicting the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo, the Budgerigar and the Regent Bowerbird. The final strike of the program will depict the Splendid Fairy-wren.

Each coin in the Birds of Australia Series has a current price of AUS $56.36, or US $54.31. These prices can change depending on the silver market.

Orders for the 2013 Rainbow Lorikeet Silver Proof Coin are accepted on the Perth Mint website (www.perthmint.com.au), with an affiliate link to it following:

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