Leopard Seal - 2018 Ice Grey Titanium coin

Second only to the Killer Whale among Antarctica’s top predators, the Leopard Seal is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic.  With its distinctively long and muscular body shape and its massive head and jaws, it has canine teeth which are around 2.5cm/1” in length making this a highly dangerous predator to the smaller animals that inhabit this frozen area. A prominent feature of the leopard seal is its counter-shaded coats with its dorsal side  having a silver to dark grey blended coat that make up its distinctive “leopard” colouration.  Whereas the underside is paler – ranging from white to light grey.

The Leopard seal lives in the cold waters surrounding the Antarctic continent but they are difficult to survey by traditional visual techniques as they spend long periods of time vocalising under the water during the months when the surveys are carried out.

The design on the coin shows a Leopard Seal hunting for prey among a raft of penguins.  The obverse of the coin features a fine effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II produced exclusively by Pobjoy Mint.