1996 Alaska Medallion - The Caribou

Current List Price $250.00

Like some of the other back issue Alaska medallions, the 1996 Caribou has become difficult to find.

Total one ounce proof mintage: 9,790

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Bruce Nelson of Kodiak, Alaska designed the 1996 Official State Medallion. One of the more popular medallions the Caribou Proof is now, oddly enough, very difficult to find. Like all Alaska Medallion Proofs, it was double struck under high pressure using dies polished to perfection. Caribou are the only member of the deer family where both sexes have antlers...

Caribou are large members of the deer family, with large concave hoofs that spread widely to support the animal in snow and soft tundra. Caribou are the only member of the deer family where both sexes have antlers, although the adult cows are much shorter and usually more slender and irregular than the bulls. In Europe, caribou are called Reindeer. In Alaska and Canada only domestic forms are called Reindeer. All caribou and reindeer thought out the world are considered the same species. Caribou that reside in Alaska are further designated as "barren-ground species," which generally inhabit arctic and open tundra lands near or above the timberline.

Caribou range throughout most of Alaska except the southeast Panhandle and most offshore islands. Caribou graze on vegetation all summer so they enter fall in prime condition. Late August to early September, when the large bulls shed their antler velvet, marks the start of the rutting (breeding) season. The bulls quit grazing and show an increased aggressiveness that soon results in combat. Most fights are brief, but can become violent with much injury. After the rut, most adult males shed their antlers. Spring migration brings females and many of last year's calves to the calving area. In late May or early June a single calf is born, twins are very rare. Newborn calves can walk within an hour, and with a few days can outrun a man, and swim across lakes and rivers.

Silver Trivia:
Top Ten Issuers of Silver Coins and Medals in 2002
(In million ounces)
United States 14.2
Germany 6.1
China, People's Republic of 2.1
Spain 1.5
Mexico 1.1
Canada 1.0
Australia 0.6
France 0.5
UK & Ireland 0.5
Austria 0.4
All Other Countries 3.3