Palau Scorpionfish 2002 $1 Proof Marine Life Series

The scorpionfish or rockfish are a family of mostly marine fish that includes many of the world’s most venomous species. The family is a large one, with hundreds of members. They are widespread in tropical and temperate seas, but mostly found in the Indo-Pacific area. Some types, such as the lionfish, are attractive as well as dangerous. General characteristics of family members include a compressed body, ridges and/or spines on the head, one or two spines on the opercle, and three to five spines on the preopercle. The dorsal fin will have eleven to seventeen spines, often long and separated from each other, and the pectoral fins will be well developed, with eleven to twenty-five rays. The spines of the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins all have venom glands at their bases. Most species are bottom-dwellers that feed on crustaceans and smaller fish, in some cases using the spines to paralyze their victims before gulping them. Others, such as the stonefish, wait in disguise for prey to pass them by before swallowing them. This series of “Marine Life Protection” proof one dollar coins has been a hit with collectors since the first coin was issued in 1992. It is hard to say whether the obverse or reverse is the most attractive, but they are becoming exceedingly hard to find. Palau was chosen as the location for the 10th season of the hit reality series Survivor, and this coin depicts regional marine life, as well as a beautiful mermaid. This One Dollar coin is legal tender and has been issued by authority of the government of Palau.