2023 Australia Zoo – Southern White Rhinoceros 1oz Silver Bullion Coin

The Royal Australian Mint’s Australia Zoo series launched in 2020 with the Sumatran Tiger.

The series promotes the plight of threatened species and will appeal to entry-level collectors and precious metal investors.  This years Southern White Rhinoceros release marks the fourth in the series, with the size and power of this mighty creature artistically conveyed on the coin.

The Southern White Rhinoceros is native to Africa and is a near-threatened species due to illegal poaching. Australia Zoo in Queensland is home to several of these impressive animals and visitors can spot them in their African savanna habitat or keeping cool in a mud wallow.

Weighing up to 2,300 kilograms and standing at more than two metres tall, the rhinoceros consumes a diet of plants and grasses. It takes a long time for mothers to grow their baby calf with a gestation period of nearly 16 months.

In the wild, the male Southern White Rhinoceros is a solitary animal and can be territorial, choosing only to come in contact with other rhinos to breed. Delightfully, the name for a group of female rhinos is a ‘crush’.

Rhinos communicate with snarls and wails and, surprisingly, even squeaks!

Struck by Royal Australian Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver, the coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965 and has a mintage of 25,000.

DESIGN

The reverse features the Southern White Rhinoceros with birds on top of it. Also features the inscriptions “AUSTRALIA ZOO” and “SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS”, as well as the weight and fineness.

The obverse features the interim memorial effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark, the monetary denomination and the 2023 year-date.

PRESENTATION

Each coin is presented in a protective capsule. Multiples of 10 are presented in a sealed roll.

Technical Specifications

ABOUT ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT