The Perth Mint’s Antarctic Territory series highlights wildlife from one of the planet’s most remote regions, and the 2020 Leopard Seal release brings that theme to platinum for the first time in this fractional weight. Struck in .9995 fine platinum and backed by the Australian government as legal tender, the coin combines a less commonly available bullion metal with a design subject rarely seen outside silver and gold issues.
Key Features:
- Purity: .9995 fine platinum
- Weight: 1/3 troy oz
- Metal: Platinum
- Face value: 30 Dollars (Australian legal tender)
- Obverse design: Right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the George IV State Diadem, inscribed “ELIZABETH II,” “AUSTRALIA,” “1/3oz 9995 Pt,” “2020,” and “30 DOLLARS”
- Reverse design: A leopard seal swimming underwater with bubbles and a starfish, inscribed “LEOPARD SEAL” and “AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY”
The obverse carries the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, shown in right-facing profile wearing the ornate George IV State Diadem along with a pearl necklace and drop earring. The designer’s initials JC appear near the truncation of the portrait. ELIZABETH II and AUSTRALIA arc around the upper field, while 1/3oz 9995 Pt, the 2020 date, and 30 DOLLARS are inscribed around the lower portion of the coin.
The reverse depicts a leopard seal in mid-swim, its body curved gracefully with flippers extended and head turned toward the viewer. Rising above the seal are several bubbles trailing upward through the water, and a small starfish rests near the lower field. The seal’s skin pattern is rendered with fine stippled texture, and a small P mint mark appears to the left of the design. LEOPARD SEAL arcs across the top, with AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY curving along the bottom rim.
Platinum’s relative scarcity compared to gold and silver, combined with the Perth Mint’s reputation for design quality, makes this coin a distinctive choice for collectors expanding into platinum. Add the 2020 Leopard Seal to your collection today.