10 Dollars - Elizabeth II 4th Portrait - Great Spotted Kiwi

Reverse

Great Spotted Kiwi.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
GREAT SPOTTED KIWI APTERYX HAASTII
$10

Edge

Reeded

Comment

The Kiwi lays one of the largest eggs in the world in relation to its body size, and the Great Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx haastii) lays the largest eggs of all the species of Kiwis. This unique attribute is celebrated in the 2016 Kiwi coin, which is minted in the shape of a Kiwi egg.

The Kiwi has been considered the mascot of New Zealand for many years, but despite our best conservation efforts, the numbers continue to decline year on year. Kiwi are mostly nocturnal, omnivorous birds whose closest living relatives are the Australian Cassowary and Emu, and like them, it cannot fly. The Kiwi’s loose, hair-like feathers, long beak and large whiskers give it a scruffy, but endearing appearance.

The Great Spotted Kiwi, also known as the Roroa, can be found around the north-western part of the South Island. Sadly, numbers of Great Spotted Kiwis have dropped drastically since New Zealand's colonisation, with only around 15,000 alive today. Unlike other Kiwis, which tend to live in dense forests, the Great Spotted Kiwi favours higher-altitude areas, making it difficult to reach for its natural predators (such as stoats, cats and dogs).

Rounding out this visually striking issue is the silver specimen coin, minted from 0.999 silver. Although the specimen has a different finish from those of the two proof coins in this collection, it still incorporates the selective colour and is the affordable way to include this attractive coin in your Kiwi coin collection.

Interesting fact

Price

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