A fish of many talents, the yellow stingray moves through the water in an inimitable wave-like manner, glows green when exposed to ultraviolet light and has a nasty, venomous sting in its tail. But, never fear, by shining ultraviolet light on the the ninth coin in the Luminous Marine Life series, this spectacular phenomenon can be recreated in the safety of your own home.

The yellow stingray’s green glow is the result of its ability to reflect light with the help of endogenous substances. The function of this luminescence is not clear but the stingray may use it to communicate with other members of its species and as a form of camouflage.

No more than 75 centimetres in length, the yellow stingray is able to keep a watchful eye on its surroundings as its eyes are located at the highest point on its flat, almost circular body. An additional safety feature is the pointed, dagger-like spike covered in poisonous skin that sits far back on its tail. Used for self-defence, the sting comes into its own if the stingray is being held in the mouth of a shark, when it whips its tail at lightning speed and stabs the aggressor.
All 12 of the magical sea creatures in the Luminous Marine Life series are shown in silhouette on the coin’s obverse. Air bubbles up between them and a tail fin disappears beneath the waves to the right. On the coin’s reverse, a wide band, reminiscent of an old-fashioned porthole frames an aquatic scene that features a mauve stinger in the centre. An island with palm trees can be seen above the surface of the water. When the coin is illuminated with ultraviolet light, the jellyfish glows and changes colour, so that the light brown of its bell turns blue or red, as does the pinkish purple of its tentacles and oral arms.