Australia's Largest Bird Of Prey

This coin features Australia’s wedge-tailed eagle, which has an incredible wingspan of up to 2.7 metres. Soaring to heights of almost 2,000 metres, these awe inspiring birds use the thermal air currents to fly through the sky as they look for prey.

John M. Mercanti Design

The Perth Mint commissioned American sculptor and engraver John M. Mercanti, the 12th Chief Engraver of the US Mint. He created the reverse design of the American silver eagle bullion coin and has produced more coin and medal designs than any other employee in the history of the US Mint.

The coin’s reverse depicts an impressive wedge-tailed eagle perching on a tree branch. It includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE, the 2017 year-date and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. The coin’s high relief reverse and obverse are minted on concave surfaces to ensure the optimum flow of metal is achieved by the strike of the die.