5 Dollars Haliotis iris

Palau has issued nature-themed silver coins since the late 1990s, many incorporating organic materials directly into the planchet — shells, coral, sand, and similar inclusions. This piece features an inlay of actual Haliotis iris shell, the New Zealand pāua abalone, whose iridescent nacre cannot be replicated by any minting process. The shell material is sourced and cut before being set into the coin during striking.

Palau holds no native population of H. iris — the species is endemic to New Zealand coastal waters, where it is both a regulated fishery and a culturally significant species to Māori.