2015 $1 Feline Mascot Of HMAS Encounter Unlikely Heroes Series Carded Coin - Mintage: 10,002

Product description

Issued by the Royal Australian Mint in 2015, this coloured frosted uncirculated one-dollar coin honours the feline mascot of HMAS Encounter as part of the six-coin Unlikely Heroes – Great and Small series.

Cats played several important roles aboard naval ships, controlling rats and mice, providing companionship and even being regarded as lucky charms and predictors of changing weather.

HMAS Encounter was a light cruiser used by the Royal Australian Navy throughout the First World War. Its feline mascot became an iconic figure after being photographed peeking from the muzzle of one of the ship’s six-inch guns.

The reverse features a coloured interpretation of the famous photograph, surrounded by a blue barometric scale inspired by traditional weather instruments. The obverse carries the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

Presented on its original Royal Australian Mint collector card, this Australian legal-tender release had an authorised maximum mintage of 30,000; however, only 10,002 coins were produced.

Please refer to the supplied photographs for the condition of the coin and presentation card.