2021 $1 Star Dreaming - Beizam - The Shark in the Stars Coloured 1/2oz Fine Silver Uncirculated Coin

2021 $1 Star Dreaming - Beizam - The Shark in the Stars Coloured 1/2oz Fine Silver Uncirculated Coin.Torres Strait Dauareb elder, Segar Passi's shark artwork is inspired by seven stars in the big dipper and big bear (Ursa Major) constellation which make up the body of a deep-sea predator. The shark's position in the sky indicates when to plant crops and the timing of seasonal storms.

Star dreaming is a three-coin series that showcases indigenous astronomical stories.

As Melanesian sea-faring people, Torres Strait Islanders are custodians of country that spans 48,000 square kilometres of water and 250 plus islands including 14 that are inhabited. Their culture stretches back an estimated 8000 years, when at the end of the last Ice Age sea levels swamped the land bridge connecting Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Indigenous Australians are considered the oldest civilisation in the world and aboriginal culture dates back more than 65,000 years. Aboriginal people were the first astronomers and for tens of thousands of years, the stars have been their maps, weather predictors calendars, timekeepers and lent a backdrop to important storytelling.

In islander culture the stars help guide traditional laws, customs and practices that are handed down through generations through stories, ceremonies, songs and dances. The stars also inform islanders when they should go hunting for dugong and turtles and when to plant food crops like bananas. When the shark constellation appears in the north, islanders know it's shark mating season.

The coin's reverse features artwork by Torres Strait Dauareb elder and artist Segar Passi.

The coin's obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II design by Jody Clark.

Each coin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and comes with a limited mintage of 5,000.

Each coin is presented in a display case and issued as Australian legal tender.

This is the 3rd coin in the Star Dreaming series.

Denomination :                  $1

Quality :                            Coloured Uncirculated

Metal :                              Silver

Weight :                            1/2oz

Diameter :                         35.89 mm

Mintage :                           5,000

Certificate of Authenticity :  Royal Australian Mint