1 oz Platinum Platypus

The Perth Mint in Australia makes the beautiful Platinum Platypus coin. Each coin features one of the animals that can only be found in Australia, the platypus and contains 1 Troy oz of .9995 fine platinum.

Coin Features:

• 1 Troy oz of .9995 fine platinum
• Beautiful coin, celebrating the uniqueness of Australia
• Great way to diversify within precious metals

The Platinum Platypus will arrive in brilliant uncirculated condition and is legal tender in Australia. The obverse of the coin features the iconic profile image of Queen Elizabeth II and the reverse image of the platypus at home under the water in Australia.

The platypus was initially thought to be a hoax and couldn't possibly exist according to scientists who first discovered it. They referred to it as a fake animal. The Platypus Genome Project that maps its DNA was completed in 2008. Through a spur on the back of its heel, a male platypus injects a venom into predators trying to attack the animal. This makes the male platypus in exclusive company, joining the shrew, mole, and vampire bats as venomous mammals.

The platypus lays eggs like birds and reptiles but is actually considered a mammal. The platypus spends a great deal of time in the water searching for food. It does so with its eyes, ears, and nose closed. Instead of using these senses to find its next meal, it uses electroreception. The bill of the platypus has electroreceptors that detect the electrical impulses that all living creatures emit. It spends up to 12 hours a day hunting for food because it needs to eat up to 30% of its body weight each day. The webbed feet of a platypus are not for use on land. Actually, the platypus is very awkward on land. The platypus actually spends 30% more energy on land than in the water. Another interesting fact about the platypus is that it has no stomach

South Africa accounts for 80% of the platinum in the world and nearly half of the platinum produced in the world is used for catalytic converters. Only about 130 tons of platinum are mined each year compared to nearly 1,800 tons of gold. Platinum in fact is the rarest precious metal. It is also the heaviest. Platinum is used in jewelry. In fact, some of the most precious diamonds in the world like the Hope diamond are secured by platinum.

The platypus is only found in Australia. These platinum coins uniquely celebrate the Australian wildlife and would be a welcome addition to the portfolio of any investor or collector.