Seems weird they do a Pearl Harbour anniversary collection... you'd think they could find something else relevant to Solomon Islands?
Yes I agree. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadalcanal_Campaign The Country was the scene for a major bloody Naval/Air battle between the Japanese and USA as well as Australia.The Japanese and USA servicemen that fought that battle return to the Capital Honiara each year to revisit the battle site. I think the Central Bank may offer that product as it may be purchased by the Japanese ? The Japanese are large investors now in the country ironcially as is Australia ,Taiwan .Koreo and New Zealand. Their new silver coin set is very nice.
^ I would argue that it was a strategically significant battle in the Pacific. Interesting that Japanese may be a part of their customer base.
Henderson Airfield was captured and completed by USA and the allies . The battle was massive in casualties and was highly significant in that the USA and the allies defeated for the first time the Japanese Navy. The recapture of Henderson turned the battle as it severely decreased Japans air strike power and re fuling ability in the battle. At the same time of the battle the Australian's were fighting man on man the Japanese in PNG and Darwin was also bombed by the Japanese . Had the Japanese Navy not been defeated in the Solomon Islands the Japanese Imperial forces would have taken PNG and occupied Australia as they were within easy steaming of both Cairns and Townsville as well as Darwin. This was also at the time when the so called" Brisbane Line" was seriously talked about when Australia seriously took a view that we may have to capitulate at Brisbane and effectively hand over Northern Australia to the Japanese.
I contacted them a while back while looking at some obscure pacific coins. They don't have anything listed on their site available for sale despite listing sell prices. However, they were taking orders for the 5 coin silver proof sets of their new 2012 coinage, at about AUD250 for "almost an ounce" of total weight! Also available directly from RAM below slightly cheaper than from CBSI: http://mintissue.ramint.gov.au/mintissue/product.asp?code=510182
The only way to buy is to go there trust me.They have alot of coins for sale.It is an unsual place to try an do business.I was at the Central Bank last Friday and their stock looks great.I admit I know nothing about coins.I did buy one of those 2012 sets though and I believe they are easy to get delivered internationally.
