In various cultures, the Dolphin symbolizes happiness, power and protection. The bottlenose dolphin is known for its high intelligence and charisma. It's outward appearance appears friendly with a curved mouth giving the appearance of a permanent smile. Usually located in warm, tropical oceans, bottlenose dolphins tends to live in groups and they have been found to remember individual dolphins even after being apart for 20 years. The dolphin is also a highly emotionally intelligent creature and has the second largest encephalization levels of any mammal on the planet, meaning its brain-to-body mass ratio is one of the highest.

This coin is the first in a Dolphin series of 1oz silver 'Hight Relief' $5 proof coins struck by the Royal Australian Mint, Canberra depicting a graceful bottlenose dolphin, leaping out of the sea against a horizon with the setting sun. The design includes the inscription 'BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN' and weight and purity of the coin. Struck in high relief in proof quality, the coin's high relief reverse and obverse are minted on concave surfaces to ensure an optimum flow of metal is achieved by the strike of the die.

Limited to an issue of 1,000 proofs, each coin is housed encapsulated in a black, hinged-lid presentation case, accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity and protected in a themed cardboard shipper. The coin was not available through wholesale dealer channels and most of the issue was shipped overseas for sale through the American dealer APMEX. The tiny allocation of 100 available through the mint's on-line shop sold out on the first day of issue within a couple of hours.

• 1oz 99.9% Pure Silver High Relief
• Five Dollar ($5)
• Mintage Only 1000