2011 Hawksbill Turtle Fiji Taku 1oz .999 Silver Bullion Coin – New Zealand Mint

The Silver Taku combines the appeal of 1oz of pure silver with an elegant design that captures the beauty of the ocean. This series has gained popularity since its first release in 2010 and would be perfect for any silver coin collection.

Hawksbill turtles are found throughout the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Named for their narrow, pointed beak, they are also recognizable by a distinctive pattern of overlapping scales on their exquisitely colored shells. This species prefers coastlines and coral reefs where they can find sponges, a primary food source for these omnivores.

Making incredible migrations to move from feeding sites to tropical beaches that serve as nesting grounds, Hawksbill turtles come to New Zealand every year from Fiji. Although they’ve been sighted as far south as Cook Strait, they are mostly seen in the upper North Island of New Zealand in the clear, shallow waters of the island shelve.

Like many sea turtles, hawksbills are a critically endangered species due mostly to human impact. Hawksbill eggs are still eaten around the world despite the turtle’s international protected status, and they are often killed for their flesh and their stunning shells that are highly valuable in some marketplaces.