The twelfth coin from this amazingly popular series is struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality and features the Elephant Seal.

The Southern Elephant Seal is the largest seal in the world and the largest member of the order Carnivora, which includes all seals, cats and dogs, raccoons and foxes, wolves and hyenas, bears, and weasels and civets, among others.

South Georgia Island is home to the largest population of Southern Elephant Seals, hosting more than half of the world’s inhabitants. Other notable colonies are found at Macquarie Island, Heard Island, the Falkland and the Kerguelen Islands, and at widespread islands near the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Elephant Seal’s torpedo shape accounts for their swimming and diving prowess that enables them to swim enormous distances through the Southern Ocean. They spend up to 10 months at sea, migrating anywhere from sub-Antarctic waters to nearly as far north as the Tropic of Capricorn in search of food, returning annually to the same place for breeding, birthing and moulting.

Previous releases: Mawson Station, Leopard Seal,Edgeworth David Base, Davis Station, Humpback Whale, South Magnetic Pole, Husky, Killer Whale, Emperor Penguin, Aurora Australis, Wandering Albatross

Each coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality.

The coin’s coloured reverse depicts a roaring Elephant Seal sitting on land within an outline of Antarctica. As well as the inscription 2015 ELEPHANT SEAL, the design also includes the words ‘Australian Antarctic Territory’ and The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and the monetary denomination are depicted on the coin’s obverse.

The Perth Mint will release no more than 7,500 of the Australian Antarctic Territory Series – Elephant Seal 2015 1oz Silver Proof Coin.

The coin is housed in a classic charcoal-coloured presentation case, which comes within a stylish outer shipper. Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.