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Haast Tokoeka Kiwi - From the original packaging:
This specimen quality silver bullion coin pays tribute to one of New Zealand's rarest kiwis, the Haast tokoeka (Apteryx australis 'Haast'). The word tokoeka is the name given by its tribal guardians, Ngai Tahu, meaning bird ('weka') with a walking stick ('toko').
Among the largest and most aggressive kiwi species, the tokoeka are renowned for their attitude. With over-sized feet this kiwi species has a strong kick and can inflict painful wounds.
The mountain-loving Haast tokoeka has only recently been identified as distinct from the other three tokoeka. This kiwi is found predominantly in the isolated Haast region of the South Island of New Zealand, and has been living in this picturesque area since long before human habitation in the region.
Classified as extremely rare, the population of the Haast tokoeka is only 300-350 with the reproductive rate being the lowest of all kiwis. Careful monitoring and active management of this endangered kiwi by the Department of Conservation, in close partnership with Ngai Tahu, will determine whether the Haast tokoeka population can be sustainable in the long term.
Denomination: $1.00
Composition: Silver Bullion (99.9%)
Weight: 31.635 grams
Diameter: 40 mm
Edge Treatment: Milled
Obverse Design: Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, England
Reverse Design: An illustration of the Tokoeka kiw
Mintage Issue Limit: 8000
Mint: The Perth Mint
According to some estimates, only about 4000 of these coins were actually issued in 2008. With 24 graded by NGC and 13 of those graded MS70, this is by far the highest pop coin with the most MS70s in the NGC census for this series.
This design seems to have it all. A strong and distinct border surrounds the central design and features leaves in much the same style as the 2006 coin before it. At the same time, the kiwi stands grounded on wonderfully detailed rocks. The kiwi remains confined within the boarder for the most part. Only the beak is allowed to poke out towards the rim. This gives the feeling that the bird could most walk off the coin, as if stepping through a portal.