New Zealand 2017 Silver $5 Proof Coin- 1 OZ Laughing Owl Whekau

  

The laughing owl coin is the fourth in the New Zealand Annual Coin series that features extinct species of New Zealand. Around four times the size of its modern day relative the morepork, the laughing owl became extinct around 100 years ago, however it lives on in this specially designed coin. 2017 New Zealand Annual Coin: Laughing Owl Silver Proof Coin. The laughing owl, so named for its raucous cry of repetitive shrieks, was a common sight in the South Island in the mid 1800's. However, the laughing owl had no defence against predators, and the introduction of stoats and ferrets from the 1880s is believed to have led to the extinction of this beautiful nocturnal bird.

The robust form and detailed feathers of the laughing owl have been cleverly captured in Dave Burke's design of this 1oz silver proof coin. The korus in the background represent the forests in which the owl dwelled and the domain of Tane, God of the Forest. The English name for the laughing owl as well as the Maori name whakau, can be seen clearly printed following the curvature of the coin.

This 1oz silver proof coin minted from 0.999 silver brings the memory of the laughing owl back to life in this stunning representation. Each coin is accompanied by an individually numbered certificate of authenticity, and displayed in an elegant black leatherette case. Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Coins: World\Australia & Oceania\New Zealand". The seller is "silvergoldbullion" and is located in this country: NZ.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Certification: Uncertified
2. Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated
3. Composition: Silver
4. Year: 2017