BLACK SWAN MAALI 2 Oz Silver Coin 2$ Australia 2022

The reverse of the coin features a black swan, also called maali, descending on water with its enormous wings stretched skywards. The background is formed by stylised patterns of coloured dots inspired by a palette of ochre pigments used by Indigenous artists through time: reds and browns for the landscape, blues, greens and other hues for the water and its currents. According to local lore, maali was once a vain and boastful white feathered swan. In punishment for its conceit, waalti, the eagle, ripped out maali's cherished feathers. Fortunately, ravens took pity on the distressed bird, disguising it with black feathers from their own plumage. Like the black swans in their wetland habitats today, maali retained some white wing feathers which only become visible in flight. The obverse of the coin features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the inscriptions: "ELIZABETH II" – the name of the Queen, "AUSTRALIA" – the issuing country, "2 DOLLARS" – the face value, "2 Oz 9999 Ag" – the weight of the coin and the fineness of the Silver and "2022" – the year of issue.