The world’s largest butterfly on the smallest coin: PNG’s 1975 1 toea — the paradise birdwing (Ornithoptera paradisea), KM#1.
History
- KM#1 — the smallest coin of the 1975 first kina coinage, struck in bronze at the Royal Mint, Llantrisant.
- Obverse: the PNG coat of arms — a bird-of-paradise over a spear and kundu drum. Reverse: the paradise birdwing butterfly with the denomination.
- The paradise birdwing is among the world’s largest butterflies — and it’s found in New Guinea.
Key dates & varieties
- 1975 first issue; the type ran to 2004. The 1 toea was withdrawn in 2006.
Specifications
- Bronze; original bronze issues versus later copper-plated zinc.
Collector notes
- Original 1975 bronze in red is the condition play — later issues and browned examples are common.