1 Dollar Killer Whale, Gold Proof Issue

Palau began issuing small-format gold proofs in the early 2000s through arrangements with foreign minting houses, targeting the collector market rather than any domestic monetary need — the islands had no gold mining industry and negligible numismatic infrastructure of their own. These issues were produced under license and sold almost entirely outside Palau.

KM#96 is part of a marine wildlife series that leaned heavily on Palau's reputation as a dive destination. The killer whale subject was an unusual choice; orcas are not resident in Palauan waters.