2023 Niue Australia at Night Flying Fox 1 oz Silver Coin
 
No, this coin isn't upside down. And yes, bats really do rest upside down—and the Flying Fox is a BIG bat! This latest release in the Australia At Night Program of Black Proofs features the Flying Fox, struck in one troy ounce of pure silver, with a proprietary black treatment to simulate its dark, nocturnal world!

GsbCanada is thrilled to bring you the Flying Fox, the highly anticipated eighth release in the ever-popular series that explores Australia’s nocturnal wildlife Australia at Night! It's hard to believe that it's taken us this long to get the the definitive nocturnal mammal - the bat! And as bats go, the Flying Fox is an awfully big one, captured here with the stunning interplay of the sparkling silver and black proof finish that has become the defining feature of this extremely popular program!

These bats aren't called "flying foxes" just because their head and face resembles that of a fox, no. Their name stems from the fact that they're surprisingly large, so when in flight they actually resemble flying foxes (as opposed to an average size bat, which resembles a flying mouse). Flying fox wingspans can measure up to four feet from tip to tip, with bodies over a foot long. They can weigh well over a kilogram.

Instantly recognizable as that shadowy presence in the night sky, and from the noisy chatter emanating from the tree tops when the sun goes down, flying foxes are both highly social, intelligent, and extremely vocal, boasting almost 30 different calls. No worries about this big boy—the Flying Fox is not a vampire bat, so it won't suck your blood. Some may think them creepy, but they're harmless. In fact, they eat mostly fruit, pollen and nectar, so they migrate around Australia following seasonally available flowers and fruit. As a result, this hard-working bat does its part by ensuring cross pollination, distributing pollen and seeds across large distances.

Although familiar from afar, flying foxes are notoriously elusive, so it’s a rare opportunity indeed to examine them closely. Now you can! Viewed from up-close, the flying fox is surprisingly cute, with their canine or vulpine faces, large eyes and impressive, leathery wings, all immaculately captured on this phenomenally detailed coin! The pristine, velvety Black Proof mirrored surfaces contrasts enchantingly with the sparkling silver, instantly bringing this mysterious creature to life under the light of a full moon! In equal parts exclusive, eye-catching and precious, this must-have coin will be as sought after as its predecessors in the wildly popular Australia at Night Program! 

Obverse
A family of Flying Foxes, one in flight under the light of a full moon, while three more are just hanging out. The scene sports a proprietary black treatment to simulate the nighttime. The legends AUSTRALIA AT NIGHT and FLYING FOX denote the theme.

Reverse
The public seal (coat of arms) of the island nation of Niue. The slogan ATUA NIUE TUKULAGI translates as "God, Niue Forever". The date of issue and denomination also appear, while the legend 1 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity.

Packaging
 
The coin is encapsulated inside a luxurious clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and satin, and protected by a full color outer cardboard box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.