Jamaica 10-CENTS (KM54)

The Homerus swallowtail (aka Jamaican giant swallowtail aka Papilio homerus) is a giant (up to 15 cm wingspan) endangered butterfly found only in the forests of Jamaica. Its survival is threatened by habitat loss (and possibly by collecting).

This coin was issued between 1969 and 1989 as KM47, followed by a nickel-clad steel version in 1990 only (KM47a). A commemorative version (KM103) with a different obverse was minted in 1983 (with no date on the coin). This version was minted for sets between 1971 to 1984 and has a narrow legend on the obverse.

This coin was brought to my attention by Maria, who spotted the butterfly among the flowers (she collects both animal coins and flower coins) and then she sent me this example.