Australian Manta Ray Silver Proof Coin Available

The Perth Mint of Australia brings to a close its popular Australian Sea Life II — The Reef collector coin series with the recent release of the 2012 Australian Manta Ray Silver Proof Coin.

As the name of the strike indicates, its reverse contains a design showcasing the graceful manta ray that can be found along the Great Barrier Reef.

This silver proof coin features a face value of 50 cents. Each piece is composed of 1/2 ounce of 99.9% pure silver, like the first four coins in the Australian Sea Life II series. These proofs have reverse designs depicting the:

• Hawksbill Turtle,
• Starfish,
• Surgeonfish, and
• Octopus.

Each of these creatures is known to inhabit the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

The manta ray is one of the largest marine species found on the reef. It can grow up to five meters in width and weigh hundreds of kilograms. Despite its size, the manta ray is relatively docile as it feeds on plankton and fish larvae that are filtered out of the water passing through their gills. Manta rays are inquisitive and frequently found swimming around divers.

Manta Ray Silver Proof Coin Designs and Specifications

Wade Robinson created the reverse design showcasing the magnificent manta ray. The creature is depicted in color to add to the realism as it appears swimming. Shown above it is the inscription of "AUSTRALIAN SEA LIFE II — THE REEF." Underneath is the word "MANTA RAY." The Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mintmark is also inscribed to the left of the design.

Struck as legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965, the obverse contains the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England. Obverse inscriptions include "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "1/2 oz 999 SILVER," "2012" and "50 CENTS."

The Perth Mint places each silver proof coin in a black display case which is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity inside an illustrated shipper. The shipper depicts a colorful image of a manta ray amongst the surroundings of the Great Barrier Reef.

Each piece features a diameter of 36.60 mm with a maximum thickness of 2.3 mm. Minimum gross weight for the piece is 15.591 grams.

A maximum mintage for the strike has been established at 10,000. The Manta Ray Silver Proof Coin may be purchased directly from the Perth Mint for $61.36.

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About the Perth Mint

The Royal Mint of England established the Perth Mint (www.perthmint.com.au) as a branch facility in 1899 to refine and strike gold recovered from nearby deposits. Ownership was transferred to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970. Today the Perth is responsible for the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program in addition to striking some of the most unique numismatic coins in the world.