Malaysia 1976 Wildlife Conservation RM500 Gold Commemorative coin

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION:
Face value: 500 ringgit
Alloy: Gold .900 proof
Diameter: 34mm
Weight: 33.437g
Thickness: 2.6mm
Mintage for Proof: 508 pieces
Mintage for non-proof: 2,894 pieces

Mint: Royal Mint UK

History

In 1975 Royal Mint UK together with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the IUCNNR (International Union for Conservation of Natural Resources and Natural Resources) produced 12 pieces of silver proof coin, two pieces from each of six different countries (Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sudan, Venezuela & Zaire) for the Wildlife Conservation Series of 1976.

Malaysia issued 3 denominations of the Wildlife Conservation Coin 1976; 15 Ringgit Seladang, 25 ringgit Enggan, and 500 ringgit Cipan. The wildlife is displayed on the back of the coins according to their respective denominations. The front pages of all coin denominations in this series have the same design as the Malaysian state of affairs and the writings of 'MALAYSIA' above it and 1976 at the bottom.

In 1974-1976, 24 countries issued 1 gold coin and 2 silver coins (in total there are 24 gold coins & 48 silver coins) for a Wildlife conservation series with each coin displaying a threatened species from the country. Countries that have been invited to conservation coins issued by WWF; Afghanistan, Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Falkland Islands, Gambia, Indonesia, Jordan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Venezuela, Zaire, and Zambia. The series of coins was launched in Malaysia on January 19, 1976.