Trinidad & Tobago 1975 "Scarlet Ibis" Five Dollar Proof Sterling Silver Coin

Description

Trinidad & Tobago 1975 "Scarlet Ibis"
Five Dollar Proof Sterling Silver Coin, KM# 8
Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean and is known for its fossil-fuel wealth. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated 130 kilometers (81 miles) south of Grenada and 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) off the coast of northeastern Venezuela. It shares maritime boundaries with Barbados to the northeast, Grenada to the northwest and Venezuela to the south and west.
The island of Trinidad was inhabited for centuries by native Amerindian peoples before becoming a colony in the Spanish Empire, following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1498. Spanish governor José María Chacón surrendered the island to a British fleet under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby in 1797. During the same period, the island of Tobago changed hands among Spanish, British, French, Dutch and Courlander colonists more times than any other island in the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago were ceded to Britain in 1802 under the Treaty of Amiens as separate states and unified in 1889. Trinidad and Tobago obtained independence in 1962, and became a republic in 1976.
Trinidad and Tobago has the third highest GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) in the Americas after the United States and Canada. It is recognized by the World Bank as a high-income economy. Unlike most Caribbean nations and territories, which rely heavily on tourism, the economy is primarily industrial with an emphasis on petroleum and petrochemicals; much of the nation's wealth is derived from its large reserves of oil and natural gas.
Trinidad and Tobago is well known for its African and Indian cultures, reflected in its large and famous Carnival, Diwali, and Hosay celebrations, as well being the birthplace of steelpan, the limbo, and music styles such as calypso, soca, rapso, parang, chutney, and chutney soca.
This Trinidad & Tobago 5-dollar coin highlights the scarlet ibis. The scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis in the bird family Threskiornithidae. It inhabits tropical South America and part of the Caribbean. In form, it resembles most of the other twenty-seven extant species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is one of the two national birds of Trinidad and Tobago, and its Tupi–Guarani name, guará, is part of the name of several municipalities along the coast of Brazil. This medium-sized wader is a hardy, numerous, and prolific bird, and it has protected status around the world.
The coin is sterling silver (0.925 fine), and it is 40mm in diameter. It weighs 29.70 grams. The coin is KM# 8, and it is one of 26,000 made at the Franklin Mint. The mint's logo is under the center of the coat of arms on the obverse side. The edge of the coin is reeded (or milled). The coin is sealed in a red card. There is no case or certificate.
The obverse side of the coin has a large image of the Trinidad & Tobago coat of arms in the center. Around the top half, and near the border, is "Trinidad & Tobago". Under the coat of arms, and near the border, is "1975" to indicate the issue year.
The reverse side of the coin has a large image of the scarlet ibis in the central part. It is standing on a tree branch, with some leaves by the right side. At the left side is a large numeral "5". Below that and going horizontally across the ibis' legs, is the word "Dollars".
This is a frosted proof quality coin. Please see the photos. The silver color of the coin may show as black in the photos. The images with the coin in and out of the case provide an indication of the actual color. Because all the images were taken through the plastic/seal, any dirt or distortion is due to the plastic/seal and is not on the coin. The coin has never been removed from the seal.