Australian waters host some of the most famous reef systems in the world. From spectacular tropical corals to towering forests of kelp, these dynamic environments are teeming with aquatic life. Celebrating five fascinating reef dwellers, this month, Perth Mint is releasing Australian sea life 1/2 oz silver proof clownfish. The future release will be Seahorse (March 2010) and Moray Eel (May 2010). The coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1/2oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality.
Clownfish or anemonefish are fishes from the subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family Pomacentridae. About twenty eight species are recognized. Depending on species, clownfish are overall yellow, orange, reddish, or blackish, and many show white bars or patches. The largest reach a length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in), while the smallest barely reach 10 centimetres (3.9 in).The clownfish feeds on small invertebrates which otherwise potentially could harm the sea anemone, and the fecal matter from the clownfish provides nutrients to the sea anemone. Clownfish are omnivores. Algae accounts for around 20 to 25 percent of its diet in the wild (and should also account for its amount of algae diet in captivity as well). It has also been suggested that the activity of the clownfish results in greater water circulation around the sea anemone. In addition to providing food for the clownfish, the sea anemone also provides safety due to its poison.
Clownfish live in small groups inhabiting a single anemone. The group consists of a breeding pair, which cohabit with a few non-reproductive, "pre-pubescent", and smaller male clownfish. When the female dies, the dominant male changes sex and becomes the female. This life history strategy is known as sequential hermaphroditism. Because clownfish are all born as males, they are protandrous hermaphrodites. This is in contrast with another form of hermaphroditism, known as protogyny, in which all fish are born as females but can change to males later. Clownfish lay eggs on any flat surface close to their host anemones. In the wild, clownfish spawn around the time of the full moon and the male parent guards them until they hatch about 6 to 10 days later, typically 2 hours after dusk.
Reverse: The coin’s reverse portrays a Clownfish in colour. Bright orange with three black-bordered white stripes, this remarkable fish has natural protection from the stinging cells on the waving tentacles of the sea anemone in which it prefers to live. Growing up to 8cm in length, Clownfish occur in sheltered tropical waters, including the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. The coin’s reverse also incorporates The Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mintmark.
Obverse: Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the coin bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the 20 year-date on the obverse.
Technical Specifications:
Silver Content (Troy oz) 0.5Monetary Denomination (TVD) 0.5
Fineness (% purity) 99.9
Minimum Gross Weight (g) 15.573
Maximum Diameter (mm) 26.6
Maximum Thickness (mm) 2.3
This coin is available online and no more than 10,000 clownfish coins will be released by The Perth Mint. Each coin is housed in a presentation case which comes in a colourfully illustrated box-shipper. When lined-up in release order, the shipper illustrations form a linked image depicting all five reef creatures. Each coin also accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
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