Silver coin 1 Oz Australia at Night: Greater Bilby

When night falls, the people of the Antipodes retire to sleep, but Australian wildlife comes alive. One of the remarkable nocturnal animals featured on this silver coin is the Greater Bilby.

Marsupials are a unique group of mammals whose defining characteristic is giving birth to underdeveloped young, which then mature in the female’s pouch. The only continent where marsupials outnumber placental mammals, which dominate most of the planet, is Australia. Among the dozens of species that have perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions here is, for example, the rabbit-like bandicoot, also known as the long-eared bilby or the great bilby. It was once widespread in many extremely arid regions of Australia, but today it is critically endangered and survives only in a few protected areas. In size and appearance, it resembles a small rabbit - it has gray fur, large ears, and long hind legs, which it uses for hopping. Unlike a rabbit, however, it has a pointed, elongated snout and also a long tail. With the help of its strong front legs, the bandicoot digs deep burrows, which it leaves at night when it sets out in search of food. It feeds primarily on insects, seeds, various fruits, roots, and mushrooms. When it sleeps during the day, it covers its eyes with its distinctive ears…

The reverse side of the coin features a pair of adorable Greater Bilby, who are searching for something to eat by moonlight. In the black proof finish, the scene looks particularly striking. The two-line English inscription reads AUSTRALIA AT NIGHT – GREATER BILBY. Since the coin is issued under the license of the Island of Niue, its obverse side bears the necessary attributes - a portrait of King Charles III, the nominal value ONE DOLLAR (NZD), and the year of issue 2026.

The coin by Downies, which comes in an elegant case, has a mintage of 1,000 pieces.