Phar Lap 75th Anniversary Silver Proof Coin

To Celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of Australia's greatest racehorse the Perth Mint have issued the Phar Lap 75th Anniversary Silver Proof Coin. This stunning tribute to Phar Lap is struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality.

Phar Lap (in pronunciation, the words are run together usually as one word: "farlap") was a giant chestnut gelding born in 1926. Standing at 17.1 hands he was considered by many to be Australasia's greatest-ever racehorse. At the time of his death, Phar Lap was the third highest stake-winner in the world. Bookmakers offered very short odds on Phar Lap, even refusing to accept any bets on some races.

Although Phar Lap was foaled and bred in Timaru, New Zealand, he was very much a part of the Australian racing scene during his long and distinguished career, and was sometimes called "Australia's wonder horse". He was also called "The Red Terror" and "Big Red" the same nickname as the two greatest US racehorses ever, Man O' War and Secretariat.

Suspicion surrounding the demise of Phar Lap refuses to go away, even after 75 years. On 5 April 1932, Australia’s greatest racehorse died in puzzling circumstances on a ranch in California. Devastated by the news, many Australians were convinced that their beloved chestnut gelding, the winner of 37 races from just 51 starts, had been deliberately poisoned.

The coin's reverse depicts jockey Jim Pike riding Phar Lap to victory in the 1930 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Park. The design, which incorporates The Perth Mint's 'P' mintmark, also includes the dates 1932 - 2007 and the words PHAR LAP 75th ANNIVERSARY.

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, the coin’s obverse depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The coin is housed in a stylish presentation case and strikingly illustrated shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. No more than 7,500 of these coins will be released by The Perth Mint.

Specifications
Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver
1oz Silver Proof Coin
Australian Sporting Icon
Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver
Limited Mintage: 7500
Price: AUD$70.91

The Phar Lap 75th Anniversary Silver Proof Coin will likely prove to be much sought after not only by coin collectors but by race enthusiasts and fans of the legendary horse known as Phar Lap.