Collectors familiar with Australian coins are probably aware that the Australian Platinum Wedge-tailed eagle series marked the first time that a U.S metallic artist and engraver, John Mercanti worked closely with a foreign mint, to produce the coin. The design features a mother eagle staring down lovingly at her young as the male spreads its wings as he hovers above protecting the family. The rim of the coin bears the inscription “AUSTRALIAN WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE,” “YEAR,” and “WEIGHT 9995 PLATINUM,” appears as a mint mark.
Experts at the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) gave the coin a perfect grade Proof 70, which means that the Australian Platinum Wedge-tailed Eagle coin is flawless when seen under 5x magnification. It also received an Ultra Cameo certificate thanks to its sharp frosted devises and contrasts and mirrored fields. Additional accolades included First Releases due to the fact that NGC received it no more than 30 days after its mint release.
The obverse displays a new royal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark, a distinguished Royal Mint’s accomplished and well-known artist who is famous for designing the current effigy of the Queen that appears on most British coins. In the Australian Platinum Wedge-Tailed Eagle, she appears facing right as usual and wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem that she wore during her coronation in 1953. The design has been copied by the Royal Australian Mint, which issues coins for circulation and collector issues.
The Wedge-tailed Eagle represents the spirit of freedom and strength although the bald eagle found in the U.S is quite distinct from the Australian native. The Australian wedge-tailed eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in the country and is known for its huge wingspan of 8.4 feet and its wedge-shaped tail from which its name derives.
