2009 Southern Right Whale

One of the first whales to be hunted, the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) was very popular among early whalers due to its slow speed and the large quantity of oil and baleen that could be extracted from its massive body.

Now officially protected and increasing in population, this whale is easy to identify through its lack of dorsal fin, the calluses on its head and its broad back.  It also has a long arching mouth that begins above the eye.  These features have been carefully illustrated by our local designer on the face of this coin.