“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven
Join me on an imaginary trip to another tropical paradise destination as my ship, The Storm Crow drops anchor once again at the Pacific Island country of Samoa. Lord knows that I can’t afford a real trip there yet, but I can always continue my eternal quest for the shiny treasures of my heart.
The Silver Coin
Samoa is the three western Islands of the larger Samoan chain Archipelago spanning that region of the Polynesian South Pacific. Western Samoa became independent from New Zealand in 1962 and also remains distinct from the American Samoa islands just located across the International date line. Quick numbers of this tropical paradise; 205,500 inhabitants(2021), land 2,831 sq. km., Per capita nominal income $4,420 USD. Her main income relies on Agricultural exports, Tourism and capital flow from Samoans living abroad. And that doesn’t sound good, and could explain her persistent annual trade deficit.
To my discovery, Samoa did not have a silver mine, a mint, nor the mythical Black Flamingo of legends. At an imaginary coin trading post that appeared out of nowhere a Golden Eagle was discovered.
The Actual Experience
The other week I had a few hours free to check out the relatively new Au Bullion retailer in Downtown Vancouver on Granville street not far from the former RCM Retail Store that used to be located a block further south. The Retailer was just a small office space with two windows. No displays, just two Teller styled windows. I was a little disappointed as their ‘Walk-In’ inventory was somewhat sparser than the website offerings at the time but this Golden Eagle coin caught my eye as my first exploratory purchase from this retailer.
This office is one of two AU Bullion outlets with the other located in Brampton Ontario. I figure 90-95% of their business being over the Internet with their product shipped from a secure, undisclosed central location elsewhere.
As you can see by the photograph, this is a magnificent dark brown bird of prey with its distinctive golden sheen around the back of the head and neck. A very large bird; Up to 82cm long, wing span up to 220cm and weighting as much as 6125 grams.
They are found in the Northern hemisphere; North America, Europe, Asia and Northern Africa. They prefer a wide open country by mountainsides, canyon, cliffs and hills with habitats ranging from desert to arctic tundra. None were seen on Samoa of course.
Their diet consists mainly of small ground animals like squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs and could range up to Bighorn sheep and Bobcat. They can be also birds of opportunity feeding on carrion, kills by other predators, and steal food from other birds.🦅
The Golden Eagle is classified as an Endangered Species due to toxic accumulation poisoning, hunting, traffic collision, wind turbine accidents and electrocution from power transmission towers.
The release of this 2023 $2 Samoa Golden Eagle is by the LPM Group Limited, a major bullion coin Retailer for the Asian Investor market located in the heart of the Financial District of Honk Kong. While it does not appear to have an in house minting operation I can presume that the actual minting of the Golden Eagle is by another company.
And it is by my opinion, an impressive coin, the first of a brand new series. A stunning textured Cameo finish on a mirror field! A Proof-like quality at a 10k mintage are great numbers for collectors. This will make a nice Christmas gift to a friend if he doesn’t already have it.
The Bonus Feature
Another big Thanks to @punkysdad for loaning me this delightful Banknote from his Bird collection.
Thank you joining me today, until my next Port of Call...
Adding Shiny Silver to my Stack for that big stormy day!
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain @stokjockey for #silvergoldstackers pirates to proudly showcase their shiny booty and plunder for all to see. Landlubbers arrrh… welcomed to participate and be a Pirate at heart so open yer treasure chests an’ show us what booty yea got!
My Other Related Posts
2018 St. Lucia $2 Flamingos Silver Dollar.
1974 Jamaica $10 Sir Henry Morgan Commemorative.
1977 Bermuda $25 Silver Jubilee Silver Coin.
1977 Cook Islands $5 Atui Swiftlet Silver Commemorative.
1974 Cayman Islands $2 Blue Heron Silver Commemorative.
References
Sources and Readings
Wiki; Samoa.
All about Birds; Golden Eagle.
NCC; Golden Eagle
Retailer Website; LPM Group Limited.
Online Coin Club; LPM Coin list. Golden Eagle Coin.
Silver.com; Golden Eagle Silver Coin.
Samoa 20 Tala Banknote.
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
Map Background; Reader’s Digest Illustrated Great World Atlas, ISBN 0-89577-988-9, Pg. 147
