LEADBEATER POSSUM Australia at Night 1 Oz Monnaie Or PP

Introducing the Leadbeater’s Possum—the latest addition to the beloved Australia at Night Platinum-Plated Pure Gold Proofs series, brought to you by Talisman Coins! This enchanting coin showcases the elusive and critically endangered Leadbeater's Possum, a tiny marsupial renowned for its remarkable cuteness and incredible agility. Only 150 of these exquisite coins have been minted, making them a truly unique and affordable investment opportunity!

 

The Leadbeater's Possum, also known as the "forest fairy" or "fairy possum," dwells in the remote ancient forests of the Australian state of Victoria, concealed within the tallest flowering trees on the planet. It's a creature of mystery and allure, and its nocturnal world is perfectly simulated on this coin through a captivating combination of pure platinum highlights and a pristine velvety black proof finish.

 

The craftsmanship of this coin is outstanding—the fine engravings meticulously capture the individual hairs and even the whiskers of the Leadbeater's Possum, bringing it to life with unparalleled detail. Under the radiant light of a full moon, the sparkling platinum highlights accentuate the adorable creature, making it a sight to behold.

 

This coin is a significant numismatic rarity, as it marks the FIRST TIME EVER that the Leadbeater's Possum has graced a precious metal coin! Such a delightful and endangered species deserves to be celebrated and cherished, and this coin allows you to do just that.

 

Learn more about this intriguing and threatened mammal at www.leadbeaters.org.au/facts/.

 

Characteristics of the Leadbeater’s Possum:

 

Critically Endangered: With an estimated surviving population of less than 1,000 individuals, the Leadbeater’s Possum is one of the rarest and most endangered mammals globally, making its presence on this coin all the more significant.

Adorable: Just one glimpse of the adorable mother possum and her joeys will melt your heart.

Petite: Measuring only 6 inches in length and weighing between 4 to 6 ounces, the fairy possum is a tiny marvel of nature.

Arboreal: This captivating creature calls the canopies of the tallest flowering tree forests its home.

Elusive: The combination of its small size, arboreal habitat, and reclusive nature led to its mistaken belief of being extinct for over 50 years until rediscovered in the wild in 1961.

Primitive: With fossils dating back to the Miocene Epoch, the Leadbeater’s possum has remained largely unchanged for over 20 million years. Notably, it is the only tree possum without gliding "wings."

Threatened: The destruction of its habitat due to logging and forest fires, as well as predation by feral cats, poses significant threats to its survival.

Rare: There are no Leadbeater’s possums in captivity worldwide, and without a captive breeding program, this endearing creature teeters on the brink of extinction.

About the Leadbeater's Possum:

Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) is a critically endangered marsupial native to the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia. It inhabits small pockets of alpine ash, mountain ash, and snow gum forests, making it a relic species and a non-gliding possum—the sole member of the Gymnobelideus genus. Named after John Leadbeater, the then-taxidermist at the Museum Victoria, these charming creatures are also affectionately known as fairy possums. The State of Victoria officially declared the Leadbeater's possum as its faunal emblem on March 2, 1971.

 

The species remained undiscovered until 1867 and was presumed extinct after the draining of swamps and wetlands around Bass River in south-west Gippsland for farming in the early 1900s. However, in a remarkable turn of events, a member of the species was rediscovered in 1961 by naturalist Eric Wilkinson near Cambarville. Extensive searches since then have revealed its existence in the highlands.

 

Efforts to conserve the Leadbeater's possum involve safeguarding remaining old-growth forests and maintaining younger stands that can develop hollows—essential for the possum's survival. Unfortunately, habitat destruction, including the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, severely impacted the species, causing a substantial decline in its population.

 

The Leadbeater's Possum coin's obverse features a touching scene of a mother possum with her two young joeys, basking in the light of a full moon amidst the forest canopy. The reverse showcases a crowned profile of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, sculpted by Ian Rank Broadley, with the weight, purity, date, and denomination inscribed.

 

This exquisite coin comes encapsulated within an elegant clamshell-style presentation case, adorned with black velvet and satin, and housed in a striking gold and black outer cardboard box. Each coin is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity in full color.

 

Join us in celebrating the wondrous Leadbeater's Possum and contribute to its conservation with this stunning coin—a true collector's treasure!