Brief Tuvalu History
Tuvalu
The islands were discovered in 1764 by John Byron. formerly known as the Lagoon Islands or the Ellice Islands, the islands comprising Tuvalu have been fully independent since October 1st 1978. The motto on Tuvalu's coat of arms is TUVALU MO TE ATUA. For many years they were part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, but there were continuing problems over racial and linguistic differences, and the Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in October 1975. Tuvalu means "nine islands".

Tuvalu Gold Coins
Tuvalu issued its own coins for the first time only in 1976. Unlike many small countries, Tuvalu does issue coins for circulation, and not just commemoratives, even though its population is only about 9,000
It has also issued a number of gold coins, but this is its first issue of bullion coins.
Other Tuvalu gold coins are shown on their own page.

Designs
The design theme of the 2005 issue is an large and attractive owl, in fact the Australian Barking Owl (Ninex Connivens), perched on a tree branch. the frosted design appears on a shiny background. Widespread throughout much of Australia, barking owls are named after their loud and remarkably dog-like double bark (wook wook). the possess the owl's familiar large staring eyes.
The obverse portrays the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Superior Finish - Prooflike
The finish of these "owls" is so good that when we received our first delivery and photographed them, we forgot they were only "bullion" coins with an "uncirculated" finish, and designated them as proofs when we renamed our image files. We know and have come to expect high production quality from the Perth Mint, who have produced these coins for Tuvalu, but the proof-like finish on these coins exceeds anything we expected.
As UK Prime Distributors for the Perth Mint, we are delighted to be able to offer these beautiful coins at attractive prices.

Technical Specifications Gold Bullion Series

Denomination	Size	Diameter	Weight	Fineness	Gold Content
$50	Half Ounce	30.00	15.554	.9999	0.500
$30	Fifth Ounce	21.95	6.222	.9999	0.200
$15	Tenth Ounce	17.95	3.111	.9999	0.100
$3	Twenty-Fifth Ounce	13.92	1.224	.9999	0.04

Notes on Table
Diameter = Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Gross weight in grams.
Fineness = purity of gold alloy.
Gold Content = Actual gold content in troy ounces.

Our Choice Tuvalu Owls Prices & Availability

Half Ounce

Tenth Ounce

Twenty-Fifth Ounce

Date	Denomination	Description	Grade	Availability
2005	$50	Half Ounce	Unc	Ask
2006	$50	Half Ounce	Unc	Ask
2007	$50	Half Ounce	Unc	Yes
2005	$30	Fifth Ounce	Unc	Ask
2006	$30	Fifth Ounce	Unc	Ask
2007	$30	Fifth Ounce	Unc	Ask
2005	$15	Tenth Ounce	Unc	Ask
2006	$15	Tenth Ounce	Unc	Ask
2007	$15	Tenth Ounce	Unc	Ask
2005	$3	Twenty Fifth Ounce	Unc	Ask
2006	$3	Twenty Fifth Ounce	Unc	Ask
2007	$3	Twenty Fifth Ounce	Unc	Ask

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order

Tuvalu Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Tuvalu, please look at our original Chard Coins website.