2012 $1 Animals of the Zoo Series coloured coin - Western Lowland Gorilla

 Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Zoo the latest in the pad-printed coloured dollars is this, the Western Lowland Gorilla coin. The Melbourne Zoo is home to six of these endangered species Gorillas originally from the west part of Africa.

This coin is one of six coins to be issued as part of the Animals of the Zoo coloured series following on from the very popular Ocean, Land & Air Series in previous years.

With a frosted uncirculated finish the coin has a sculpted gorilla design which is then overlaid with colour in the pad-printing process. The reverse design is by RAM designer Aaron Baggio but does not feature his initials in the design. This 2012 dated one dollar is issued by the Royal Australian Mint and has the same specifications as a circulation $1. It has however been minted for the collector market appealing to the younger collector and animal lovers.

It is the same size as a standard dollar at 25mm in diameter and weighs 9 grams. It's struck on a specially prepared aluminium bronze burnished blank planchet. The coin is Australian legal tender for one dollar. The obverse features the standard Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

Please note: Item condition is as photographed. Item in photograph is what you will receive. Please review photographs carefully before purchasing as returns will not be accepted based on condition.