Yesterday, New Zealand Mint has announced that a new coin in the “Endangered Species” coin series, Niue 2014 Black Rhinoceros 1oz Silver coin is available for purchase. Only 2,000 pieces will be minted for the .999 fine silver coin. The Black Rhinoceros silver coin comes packaged inside a crate-shaped inner coin case, which sits inside a rhino-skin textured outer packaging.
The coin reverse show a relief engraving captures a delightful vista of the African grasslands. In the foreground, an endangered Black Rhinoceros dips its head to drink from a water hole. The scene is mirrored in the finely engraved water. The coin obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Black Rhinoceros coin is legal tender for Nieu Island, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean about 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi) northeast of New Zealand.
Technical Specifications:
Metal: 999 Fine Silver
Finish: Proof
Diameter: 40.7 mm
Edge: Milled
Denomination: $2
Year of Issue: 2014
Mintage: 2,000
Weight: 1 Troy oz
Price: USD$108 including shipping
Release Date: 16 May 2014
In the early 20th century the Black Rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis, was the most plentiful of all Rhino species across the African continent. Between 1970 and 1992, their numbers were severely reduced by over 95% due to organised poaching and black market demand for their horns. By 1993, only 2,300 survived in the wild. Intensive anti-poaching efforts over recent years have had encouraging results, however, the increase in numbers is slow. In 2013, the IUCN estimated that approximately 5,055 Black Rhinoceros live in Eastern and Central Africa.
In July 2013, New Zealand Mint has released an Endangered Species - Venerable Collared Lizard 1 oz silver coin.
You can order your Niue 2014 Black Rhinoceros 1oz Silver coin at New Zealand Mint website www.nzmint.com.
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