Australia’s Antarctic Territory stretches across nearly 5.9 million square kilometers, making it the largest territorial claim on the continent and accounting for about 42% of Antarctica. In the 2020s, the Perth Mint honored this icy region with a coin series spotlighting animals that live in this remote part of the world. Today, the 2022 1.5 oz Australian Blue Whale Silver Coin is available at BullionMax.

Coin Highlights:

• Arrives in a protective plastic flip!
• Part of the Australian Antarctic Territory Series!
• Celebrates the Blue Whale species!
• Contains 1.5 Troy oz of .9999 pure silver.
• Bears a face value of $2 (AUD) backed by the federal government of Australia.
• The obverse features Queen Elizabeth II.
• On the reverse are two Blue Whales.

Each 2022 1.5 oz Australian Blue Whale Silver Coin comes safely housed in a plastic flip. This release is one of several from the Perth Mint’s Australian Antarctic Series, which focuses on the marine wildlife found in the vast area that Australia claims on the Antarctic continent.

Australia made its Antarctic claim official in 1933, and today, it operates important research outposts in the region, such as Casey, Davis, and Mawson Stations. These facilities help scientists explore topics ranging from climate systems to marine life. One of the species they study is the Blue Whale. Known as the largest animal in Earth’s history, blue whales can grow to about 100 feet in length and weigh up to 200 tons. Their hearts are about the size of a small car and pump blood through arteries so wide that a child could swim through them.

The obverse of the 2022 Blue Whale Silver Coin features Queen Elizabeth II. This design, created by Jody Clark in 2015, shows Her Majesty wearing the George IV State Diadem. It became the official portrait on Australian coinage in 2018.

The reverse side of the coin shows a Blue Whale with its calf swimming through icy waters. Although these marine mammals are enormous, they survive on a diet mainly made up of tiny krill. They feed using baleen plates that let them strain seawater for food. Their deep, echoing vocalizations can travel great distances underwater and may help them stay in touch across the ocean.

If you have any questions about silver coins, BullionMax customer service is available at 800-729-3202, through our web chat, or by email.