The Hawksbill Turtle is an endangered species of turtle that has become a favorite motif of several coin tyoe for several South Pacific nations. The New Zeland Mint has produced this Bullion coin for several years but the 2011 design I think it particularly nice. Bermuda, Austalia (painted), Tovalu (painted), The Bittish Virgin Islands and of couurse Fiji have all produded coins featuring the Hawkbill. The Hawkbill Turle has a worldwide range in nearly every warm water location but has been recognized as being critically enganged, largely do to fishing practices and the use of the shell for trickets. You can learn more about the turle in its wikpedia and at the the NOAA site. 2011 Endangered Species Hawkbill Turtle 2 Dollar Coin from FIJI This is the Archive of images of this coin. One of the interesting things to note about this coin is its unusual and beatiful 3 dimensional wave in the background field of the coin, giving it an unusual look in the hand. Now what is interesting is that there are almost more Hawkbill Coin Designs in the world that actually turtles. The species is endemic to most of the warm water nations of the world and everyone wants one on a coin: This one is from Australia This is Tuvalu This is Bermuda Among others...
I heard they have great Apples! Seriously though, i love these coins MrBrk. The first one is my winner.
