Niue 2010 $1 Oddities Of Nature Venus Flytrap Silver Proof
This is the second coin released in the already popular "Oddities of Nature" silver coin series, coming after the release earlier in the year of the 2010 $1 Oddities Of Nature Pronghorn Silver Proof. This latest release, struck to the same 40mm x 40mm dimensions from 28 grams of 92.5% sterling silver as the Pronghorn coin, is dedicated to the curious Venus Flytrap. One of only a handful of carnivorous plants on Earth, the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) usually feeds on insects and spiders, but has been known to devour small frogs who make the mistake of venturing through the Flytrap's open jaws. The Venus Flytrap has a trapping structure that is formed by each of the plant's jaw-like leaves, and is triggered by tiny hairs on their inner surfaces. If an insect or spider crawling along the leaves makes contact with two of the hairs within a 20 second period the trap will close. The reason for this "two hair" method is to safeguard against a waste of energy in trapping objects with no nutritional value. The plant's common name refers to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, whereas the genus name refers to Dione. Dionaea is a monotypic genus closely related to the waterwheel plant and sundews.
Featured on the reverse of this square silver coin is the Venus Flytrap, with several of it's jaws shown open and waiting for food. Enhancing the design is the inclusion of selective colouring for one of the leaves, while the botanical name, Dionaea muscipula, is inscribed at the bottom. On the obverse is the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Framing this central image are various types of foliage as well as the country and year of issue, and coin denomination.
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