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2002 – Whales, Marine
Life Series.
(R2 silver crown size and
2½ cent sterling silver proof coins)
THE DESIGN
“Whales” is the sixth theme in the Marine Life series. A Brydes
Whale is depicted on the 2½ c silver tickey and the
R2 silver crown size coin shows the massive Southern Right Whale. In the
study of fossils, there is an indication that the ancestors of today’s whales
gradually returned from land to live in the sea. These large aquatic mammals
filter their food, mainly tiny shrimp-like creatures called krill, from the
seawater. Both the Brydes and the Southern Right
Whale belong to the Baleen family.
Whales have nostrils, called blowholes, which open on the top of the head so
that the whale can inhale and exhale while swimming. Much of its remarkable
swimming ability can be attributed to the whale’s streamlined body. The tail
has developed into a powerful horizontal fin called a fluke, and the forelimbs
have become flippers, which the whale uses to steer and change its position. South Africa’s
coastline annually offers visitors the wonderful opportunity of watching these
truly great mammals.
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Face
value
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Theme
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Maximum
mintage
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R2
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Sterling
silver Southern Right Whale
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2 ½ c
sterling silver
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Brydes Whale
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Combination
set
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ARTIST
Natanya van Niekerk -
Marketing Manager and chief artist at the South African Mint designed the R2
and 2½c series.
ENGRAVERS
The obverse design for the R2 sterling silver coin was engraved by the South
African Mint’s former chief die-engraver, Arthur Sutherland and obverse design
for the 2 ½ c tickey sterling silver coin was
engraved by K Gray. South African Mint resident die-engravers, Marthinus Scheepers and Paul Botes engraved the reverse designs.
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