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| Slot: |
2016 S$10 Palau, Cupid & Psyche |
| Origin/Country: |
PALAU |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$10 2016 CUPID & PSYCHE |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Palau Eternal Sculptures I
2016 – Cupid & Psyche
This 2 Oz Silver Coin is the first issue of the new series “Eternal Sculptures” and is dedicated to a love story, originally from Metamorphoses, and well known sculpture - Cupid and Psyche. For the first time, a coin has two-sides Smartminting! This coin features marble effect, has unbelievable details on the high relief surface and a Black Proof quality.
Limited mintage to only 999 pcs worldwide.
Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss is a sculpture by Antonio Canova first commissioned in 1787 by Colonel John Campbell. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Neoclassical sculpture, but shows the mythological lovers at a moment of great emotion, characteristic of the emerging movement of Romanticism. It represents the god Cupid in the height of love and tenderness, immediately after awakening the lifeless Psyche with a kiss. The story of Cupid and Psyche is taken from Lucius Apuleius’ Latin novel The Golden Ass, and was popular in art.
Joachim Murat acquired the first or prime version in 1800. After his death the statue entered the Louvre Museum in Paris, France in 1824; Prince Yusupov, a Russian nobleman acquired the 2nd version of the piece from Canova in Rome in 1796, and it later entered the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
Having been recently awakened, Psyche reaches up towards her lover, Cupid, as he gently holds her by supporting her head and breast. Antonio Canova’s fine technique in carving marble contrasts their realistic smooth skin with the surrounding elements. Loosely draped around Psyche’s lower body, a sheet further emphasizes the difference between the texture of skin and drapery. Rough texture provides the basis of the rock upon which the composition is placed supplementing the distinctions of elements. Fine curls and lines make up the hair and light feathery details create realistic wings upon the landing Cupid.
The obverse of the coin depicts the famous sculpture Cupid and Psyche, in very high relief. In the center of the coin, this two protagonists are hugging in a love scene. The special paint used for the sculpture creates a beautiful marble effect. All around of the obverse, a floral decorative pattern all around the border. On the right side of the obverse, the logo and the name of the series: "Eternal Sculptures" and "Cupid and Psyche" – the name of the coin. In the bottom of the coin, an attractive inscription of the issue year with roman numbers: "MMXVI" - 2016.
The reverse of the coin depicts the other side of the sculpture, in High Relief and finished in the same marble effect. All around of the reverse, a beautiful decorative pattern. On the right side, the Coat of Arms of Palau and the face value: "10 Dollars".
Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also named Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. The larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees. ― Google
Capital: Ngerulmud
Official languages: Palauan, English
Continent: Oceania
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Non-partisan democracy
Currency: United States Dollar
Population: 18,024 (2021) World Bank
Number of islands: 340 britannica.com
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2017 S$10 Palau, Venus De Milo |
| Origin/Country: |
PALAU |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$10 2017 VENUS DE MILO |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Palau Eternal Sculptures I
2017 – Venus De Milo
This 2 Oz Silver Coin is the second issue of the new series “Eternal Sculptures.” This coin has two-sides Smartminting! This coin features marble effect, has unbelievable details on the high relief surface and a Black Proof quality.
Limited mintage to only 999 pcs worldwide.
Aphrodite of Milos, better known as the Venus de Milo, is an ancient Greek statue and one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture. Created sometime between 130 and 100 BCE, it is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty (Venus to the Romans). It is a marble sculpture, slightly larger than life size at 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) high.
Part of an arm and the original plinth were lost following its discovery. From an inscription that was on its plinth, it is thought to be the work of Alexandros of Antioch; earlier, it was mistakenly attributed to the master sculptor Praxiteles. It is currently on permanent display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The statue is named after the Greek island of Milos, where it was discovered.
The Aphrodite of Milos is widely renowned for the mystery of her missing arms. There is a filled hole below her right breast that originally contained a metal tenon that would have supported the separately carved right arm.
The obverse of the coin depicts the famous sculpture Venus de Milo, in very High Relief. The special paint used for the sculpture creates a beautiful marble effect. All around of the obverse, a floral decorative pattern. On the right side of the obverse, the logo and the name of the series: "Eternal Sculptures" and "Venus de Milo" – the name of the coin. On the bottom of the obverse, an attractive inscription of the issue year with roman numbers: "MMXVII" - 2017.
The reverse of the coin depicts the other side of the sculpture, in High Relief and finished in the same marble effect. All around of the reverse, a beautiful decorative pattern. On the left side, the Coat of Arms of Palau and the face value: "10 Dollars"
Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also named Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. The larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees. ― Google
Capital: Ngerulmud
Official languages: Palauan, English
Continent: Oceania
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Non-partisan democracy
Currency: United States Dollar
Population: 18,024 (2021) World Bank
Number of islands: 340 britannica.com
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2017 Night Animals, S$5, Red Panda |
| Origin/Country: |
COOK ISLANDS |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$5 2017 Cook Is. Red Panda |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 69 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
NGC shows only one graded at PF69 with zero in higher grades at this time.
This beautiful 1 ounce silver coin is the first release in the new NIGHT ANIMALS series and features one of China’s most endangered species - the Red Panda. Maximum mintage is 499 pieces.
The black proof coin has a stunning relief thanks to the the application of CIT & BH Mayers’ superb SmartMinting technology.
The red panda (Ailurus fulgens), also called the lesser panda, the red bear-cat, and the red cat-bear, is a mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs; it is slightly larger than a domestic cat. It is arboreal, feeds mainly on bamboo, but also eats eggs, birds, and insects.
On this coin you see a Red Panda walking towards the viewer is a fine rendition that looks spot on for appearance and does a good job of filling the coin without looking like it’s been squeezed into the shape. Framed on both sides by bamboo, the use of colour on only the panda itself does a fine job of making it stand out from its ‘habitat’. The coin title and date are inscribed on this face, but are both quite innocuous as they’re coloured to match the background surrounding them. Issued for Cook Islands, the obverse obviously carries the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by the usual coin inscriptions. This face is also finished as a black proof and has a moon and starry night sky struck in it – a nice touch.
The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific, with political links to New Zealand. Its 15 islands are scattered over a vast area. The largest island, Rarotonga, is home to rugged mountains and Avarua, the national capital. To the north, Aitutaki Island has a vast lagoon encircled by coral reefs and small, sandy islets. The country is renowned for its many snorkeling and scuba-diving sites. ― Google
Capital: Avarua District
Area: 91.39 mi²
ISO code: COK
Population: 17,459 (2016)
Currencies: New Zealand Dollar, Cook Islands dollar
Official languages: Rarotongan, Pukapukan language, English
Pictures are NGC HighRES photos. Adobe Photoshop elements was used to remove any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2018 S1000F, Equatorial Guinea, Grim Reaper - Dark Side Series |
| Origin/Country: |
EQUATORIAL GUINEA |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S1000F 2018 Eq.guinea Grim Reaper - Dark Side |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
2018 Equatorial Guinea – Grim Reaper: Dark Side Series
The Dark Side series of silver coins from Equatorial Guinea is a series of coins that depict the Codex Gigas, the largest medieval manuscript in the world. The first coin in the series was the 2016 Codex Gigas "the Dark Side" 1 oz Silver Coin. The second coin in the series is the 2018 Equatorial Guinea Grim Reaper Dark Side 1 oz Silver Coin.
This incredible Silver Black Proof coin is dedicated to one of the most feared and scary personification – the Grim Reaper. The coin features the Smartminting technology, has an incredible design, has a wonderful coloration.
Mintage: 666
Reverse: Coat of Arms with country above and denomination below
Obverse: Bust of the Grim Reaper holding his scythe with the blade going overhead. Flanked by gargoyles with the date to the left.
Death, due to its prominent place in human culture, is frequently imagined as a personified force, also known as the Grim Reaper. In some mythologies, the Grim Reaper causes the victim’s death by coming to collect them. In turn, people in some stories try to hold on to life by avoiding Death’s visit, or by fending Death off with bribery or tricks. Other beliefs hold that the Spectre of Death is only a psychopomp, serving to sever the last ties between the soul and the body, and to guide the deceased to the afterlife, without having any control over when or how the victim dies. Death is most often personified in male form, although in certain cultures Death is perceived as female (for instance, Marzanna in Slavic mythology).
Equatorial Guinea
Country in Central Africa
Equatorial Guinea is a Central African country comprising the Rio Muni mainland and 5 volcanic offshore islands. Capital Malabo, on Bioko Island, has Spanish colonial architecture and is a hub for the country’s prosperous oil industry. Its Arena Blanca beach draws dry-season butterflies. The tropical forest of the mainland’s Monte Alen National Park is home to gorillas, chimpanzees and elephants. ― Google
Capital: Malabo
Currency: Central African CFA franc
President: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Prime minister: Manuela Roka Botey
Government: Republic, Dictatorship, Unitary state, Presidential system, One-party state
Continent: Africa
Official languages: Spanish, French, Portuguese
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2018 S$10 Palau, Rape of Proserpina |
| Origin/Country: |
PALAU |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$10 2018 Rape of Proserpina |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Palau Eternal Sculptures I
2018 - Rape of Proserpina.
This 2 Oz Silver Coin is the third issue of the new series “Eternal Sculptures.” This coin has two-sides Smartminting! This coin features marble effect, has unbelievable details on the high relief surface and a Black Proof quality.
Limited mintage to only 999 pcs worldwide.
The Rape of Proserpina is a large Baroque marble sculptural group by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, executed between 1621 and 1622. Bernini was only twenty-three years old at its completion. It depicts the Abduction of Proserpina, where Proserpina is seized and taken to the underworld by the god Pluto.
As with many of Bernini’s early works, it was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, possibly alongside a portrait of Scipione’s uncle Pope Paul V (who had died in 1621). Bernini received at least three payments for the statue, of value of at least 450 Roman scudi. The sculpture was begun in 1621 and completed in 1622. Quite soon after completion, the statue was given by Scipione to Cardinal Ludovisi in 1622, who transported it to his villa. Purchased by the Italian State, it returned to the Villa Borghese in 1908.
Proserpina is an ancient Roman goddess whose cult, myths and mysteries were based on those of Greek Persephone and her mother Demeter, the Greek goddess of grain and agriculture. Just as Persephone was thought to be a daughter of Demeter, Romans made Proserpina a daughter of Demeter’s Roman equivalent, Ceres. Like Persephone, Proserpina is associated with the underworld realm and its ruler; and along with her mother Ceres, with the springtime growth of crops and the cycle of life, death and rebirth or renewal. Her name is a Latinisation of “Persephone”. Her core myths – her forcible abduction by the god of the Underworld, her mother’s search for her and her eventual but temporary restoration to the world above – are the subject of works in Roman and later art and literature. In particular, Proserpina’s seizure by the god of the Underworld – usually described as the Rape of Proserpina, or of Persephone – has offered dramatic subject matter for Renaissance and later sculptors and painters.
The obverse of the coin reproduces the incredible front view of the famous sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the Rape of Proserpina. An exceptional high relief and the use of a special paint to recreate the sculpture's natural marble look, emphasizes the extraordinary beauty of this piece of art in miniature. All around the obverse, a floral decorative pattern completes the coin. On the right side of the obverse, the wonderful logo of the series and the inscriptions: "ETERNAL SCULPTURES" - the name of the series and "RAPE OF PROSERPINA" – the name of the coin. On the bottom of the obverse, the year of issue written in Roman numbers: "MMXVIII" - 2018.
The reverse of the coin reproduces the back view of the sculpture, using the same finishes and marble effect. All around of the reverse, a beautiful decorative pattern. On the left side, the Coat of Arms of Palau and the inscriptions: "REPUBLIC OF PALAU" – the issuing country and "10 DOLLARS" – the face value.
Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also named Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. The larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees. ― Google
Capital: Ngerulmud
Official languages: Palauan, English
Continent: Oceania
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Non-partisan democracy
Currency: United States Dollar
Population: 18,024 (2021) World Bank
Number of islands: 340 britannica.com
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2018 Night Animals, S$5, Eagle Owl |
| Origin/Country: |
COOK ISLANDS |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$5 2018 Cook Is. Eagle Owl |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The second issue in the Night Animals series features the iconic Eagle Owl. Struck using SmartMinting in one ounce of pure silver, this coin is a whopping 55mm in diameter.
The black proof finish simulates the night sky, between the coat of arms, to give it a great touch. Maximum mintage is 499 pieces.
The American (North and South America) horned owls and the Old World eagle-owls make up the genus Bubo, at least as traditionally described. The genus name Bubo is Latin for the Eurasian eagle-owl. This genus, depending on definition, contains about one or two dozen species of typical owls (family Strigidae) and is found in many parts of the world. Some of the largest living Strigiformes are in Bubo. Traditionally, only owls with ear-tufts were included in this genus, but that is no longer the case.
The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific, with political links to New Zealand. Its 15 islands are scattered over a vast area. The largest island, Rarotonga, is home to rugged mountains and Avarua, the national capital. To the north, Aitutaki Island has a vast lagoon encircled by coral reefs and small, sandy islets. The country is renowned for its many snorkeling and scuba-diving sites. ― Google
Capital: Avarua District
Area: 91.39 mi²
ISO code: COK
Population: 17,459 (2016)
Currencies: New Zealand Dollar, Cook Islands dollar
Official languages: Rarotongan, Pukapukan language, English
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2019 S$10 Palau, Leda and the Swan |
| Origin/Country: |
PALAU |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$10 2019 Leda and the Swan |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 69 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Palau Eternal Sculptures I
2019 – Leda & The Swan
This 2 Oz Silver Coin is the fourth issue of the new series “Eternal Sculptures.” This coin has two-sides Smartminting! This coin features marble effect, has unbelievable details on the high relief surface and a Black Proof quality.
Limited mintage to only 999 pcs worldwide.
Leda and the Swan is a story and subject in art from Greek mythology in which the god Zeus, in the form of a swan, seduces the mortal woman Leda. According to later Greek mythology, Leda bore Helen and Polydeuces, children of Zeus, while at the same time bearing Castor and Clytemnestra, children of her husband Tyndareus, the King of Sparta. In the W. B. Yeats version, it is subtly suggested that Clytemnestra, although being the daughter of Tyndareus, has somehow been traumatized by what the swan has done to her mother. According to many versions of the story, Zeus took the form of a swan and seduced Leda on the same night she slept with her husband King Tyndareus. In some versions, she laid two eggs from which the children hatched. In other versions, Helen is a daughter of Nemesis, the goddess who personified the disaster that awaited those suffering from the pride of Hubris.
The subject was rarely seen in the large-scale sculpture of antiquity, although a representation of Leda in sculpture has been attributed in modern times to Timotheus; small-scale sculptures survive showing both reclining and standing poses, in cameos and engraved gems, rings, and terracotta oil lamps. Recently, an ancient fresco depicting Leda and the Swan was found at the Pompeii archeological site in Italy. Thanks to the literary renditions of Ovid and Fulgentius it was a well-known myth through the Middle Ages, but emerged more prominently as a classicizing theme, with erotic overtones, in the Italian Renaissance.
The obverse of the coin reproduces the incredible front view of the famous sculpture, Leda and the Swan. An exceptional high relief and the use of a special paint to recreate the sculpture's natural marble look, emphasizes the extraordinary beauty of this piece of art in miniature. All around the obverse, a floral decorative pattern completes the coin. On the right side of the obverse, the wonderful logo of the series and the inscriptions: "ETERNAL SCULPTURES" - the name of the series and "LEDA AND THE SWAN" – the name of the coin. On the bottom of the obverse, the year of issue written in Roman numbers: "MMXIX" - 2019.
The reverse of the coin reproduces the back view of the sculpture, using the same finishes and marble effect. All around of the reverse, a beautiful decorative pattern. On the left side, the Coat of Arms of Palau and the inscriptions: "REPUBLIC OF PALAU" – the issuing country and "10 DOLLARS" – the face value.
Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also named Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. The larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees. ― Google
Capital: Ngerulmud
Official languages: Palauan, English
Continent: Oceania
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Non-partisan democracy
Currency: United States Dollar
Population: 18,024 (2021) World Bank
Number of islands: 340 britannica.com
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2020 S$1 Echidna |
| Origin/Country: |
NIUE |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$1 2020 Echidna |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
2020 – Australia At Night: Echidna
Third Coin in this Popular Series
The echidna is no stranger to Australian coinage appearing on Australia’s 5c piece since the inception of decimal currency in 1966.
Limited mintage of 1,000 pieces worldwide.
Echidnas are small, relatively primitive mammals that are covered with coarse hair and spines, the reason they are sometimes called spiny anteaters. Superficially they resemble the anteaters of South America, and other spiny mammals like hedgehogs and porcupines. They have elongated, slender snouts that have the functions of both the mouth and nose. Having very short, strong limbs with large claws, they are powerful diggers.
Capturing the Echidna feasting on one of its favourite foods – ants – the contrast between the sparkling silver and Black Proof backdrop instantly catches the eye. The echidna is native to Australia and is one of the few mammals that lay eggs.
The obverse of the coin depicts a beautiful echidna, surrounded by vegetation. On top of the reverse, the inscriptions: "AUSTRALIA AT NIGHT" – the name of the series and "ECHIDNA" – the name of the coin.
The reverse of the coin features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the inscriptions: "ELIZABETH II" – the name of the Queen, "NIUE" – the issuing country, "2020" – the year of issue and "ONE DOLLAR" – the face value and "1OZ 999 SILVER" – the weight of the coin and the fineness of the Silver.
Niue
Island Country
Niue is a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It’s known for its limestone cliffs and coral-reef dive sites. Migrating whales swim in Niue's waters between July and October. In the southeast is the Huvalu Forest Conservation Area, where trails through fossilized coral forests lead to the Togo and Vaikona chasms. The northwest is home to the rock pools of Avaiki Cave and the naturally formed Talava Arches. ― Google
Capital: Alofi
Dialing code: +683
Population: 1,620 (2018)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Continent: Oceania
Official languages: Niue, English
Government: Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy, Non-partisan democracy.
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2020 S$10 Palau, Tre Grazie |
| Origin/Country: |
PALAU |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$10 2020 Tre Grazie |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 69 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Palau Eternal Sculptures I
2020 – Tre Grazie (The Three Graces)
This 2 Oz Silver Coin is the fifth issue of the new series “Eternal Sculptures.” This coin has two-sides Smartminting! This coin features marble effect, has unbelievable details on the high relief surface and a Black Proof quality.
Limited mintage to only 999 pcs worldwide.
Originally commissioned by Joséphine de Beauharnais, the famous French dictator, Napoleon’s first wife, The Three Graces is a 1.82m tall sculpture in white marble. Carved in Rome by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova, it was completed in 1814 and now resides in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
John Russell, the 6th Duke of Bedford, saw the almost completed statue in Canova’s studio and tried unsuccessfully to purchase it. So enamoured by the work, he had Canova make a second, slightly different version which was carved between 1815-1817. This version, said to be preferred by Canova, now resides in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, or the Scottish National Gallery (It is jointly owned). It originally sat in a custom built top-lit rotunda called the Temple of the Graces and was one of the most widely admired works of the time.
The ‘de Beauharnais’ version was carved in a veined marble, but the ‘Bedford’ version changed that to a clean white marble. Other differences were a change from a square to round base,and a slightly thicker waist on the central figure. They remain fundamentally the same, however.
The statue, in the Neoclassical style, depicts the three charities, Euphrosyne, Aglaea and Thalia, all daughters of Zeus. They were said to represent mirth (Euphrosyne), elegance (Aglaea), and youth/beauty (Thalia). They were said to have delighted the guests of the gods by presiding over events, like banquets, for example.
As for Canova, he remains admired as one of the greatest European artists of his day and his works some of the best of any period. Born on 1 November 1757, he died on 13 October 1822. He had an impressive career, working with many of the periods great figures, even sculpting a statue of George Washington as a Roman Emperor that was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1831. After his death, his estate was used to complete the Tempio Canoviano where his body was interred, although his heart was interred at the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice, and his right hand preserved in a vase at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia. Every plaster model and sculpture from Canova’s Roman studio was removed and placed in the Tempio, which is sited on a hilltop in Possagno in the Province of Treviso.
The obverse of the coin reproduces the incredible front view of the famous sculpture by Antonio Canova – Tre Grazie. An exceptional high relief and the use of a special paint to recreate the sculpture's natural marble look, emphasizes the extraordinary beauty of this piece of art in miniature. All around the obversee, a floral decorative pattern completes the coin. On the right side of the obverse, the wonderful logo of the series and the inscriptions: "ETERNAL SCULPTURES" - the name of the series and "TRE GRAZIE" – the name of the coin. On the bottom of the obverse, the year of issue written in Roman numbers: "MMXX" - 2020.
The reverse of the coin reproduces the back view of the sculpture, using the same finishes and marble effect. All around of the obverse, a beautiful decorative pattern. On the left side, the Coat of Arms of Palau and the inscriptions: "REPUBLIC OF PALAU" – the issuing country and "10 DOLLARS" – the face value.
Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also named Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. The larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees. ― Google
Capital: Ngerulmud
Official languages: Palauan, English
Continent: Oceania
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Non-partisan democracy
Currency: United States Dollar
Population: 18,024 (2021) World Bank
Number of islands: 340 britannica.com
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2020 Mongolia Majestic Eagle, S1000T |
| Origin/Country: |
MONGOLIA |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S1000T 2020 Ultra High Relief |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
2020 - Mongolia Majestic Eagle
The Black Proof Ultra High Relief Coin struck from 2 ounces of 99.9% silver is the first release in the Wild Mongolia Series and is dedicated to the king of the skies - the Majestic Eagle. The motive depicts two different representations of a Stone Eagle. While the animal is presented in half-profile in the foreground, it is shown from the front in the background and seems to stare at the viewer with a penetrating gaze.
This stunning 2 oz silver Black Proof features the same design that was released in Berlin, but done with a different finish that has become a very popular way to collect coins. CIT released the Majestic Eagle to showcase their newest smartminting© technology. It was an instant success and was featured in many numismatic publications and sold out almost instantly. Numismatic experts and collectors alike were stunned by its beauty and technical specifications. What’s incredible about the finish is that it allows every single detail to still be seen in brilliant clarity. Everything from the individual feathers to the eagle’s glare staring at you in the background and the way the claw rips through the surface of the coin, it’s all there!
Limited mintage to 999 pieces worldwide.
On the Reverse side of the coin there are the eagle claws holding an arrow and seem to snatch the coin. The obverse of the coin features the Mongolian Coat of Arms and the inscriptions: "1000 TOGROG" – the face value, "MONGOLIA" – the issuing country and "2 OZ .999 SILVER" – the weight and fineness of the Silver.
Mongolia
Country in East Asia
Mongolia, a nation bordered by China and Russia, is known for vast, rugged expanses and nomadic culture. Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, centers around Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan) Square, named for the notorious founder of the 13th- and 14th-century Mongol Empire. Also in Ulaanbaatar are the National Museum of Mongolia, displaying historic and ethnographic artifacts, and the restored 1830 Gandantegchinlen Monastery. ― Google
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Population: 3.348 million (2021) World Bank
Currency: Mongolian Tugrik
Continent: Asia
Official language: Mongolian
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Parliamentary republic, Semi-presidential system
Photos are HighRes from NGC. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
Advised by NGC Registry that “small sets” will not be created. Custom sets created to highlight these coins.
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| Slot: |
2020 S5000T Mongolia, Majestic Eagle |
| Origin/Country: |
MONGOLIA |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S5000T 2020 Ultra High Relief |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
2020 Mongolia Majestic Eagle
The Black Proof Ultra High Relief Coin struck from 5 ounces of 99.9% silver is the first release in the Wild Mongolia Series and is dedicated to the king of the skies - the Majestic Eagle. The motive depicts two different representations of a Stone Eagle. While the animal is presented in half-profile in the foreground, it is shown from the front in the background and seems to stare at the viewer with a penetrating gaze.
This stunning 5 oz silver Black Proof features the same design that was released in Berlin, but done with a different finish that has become a very popular way to collect coins. CIT released the Majestic Eagle to showcase their newest smartminting© technology. It was an instant success and was featured in many numismatic publications and sold out almost instantly. Numismatic experts and collectors alike were stunned by its beauty and technical specifications. What’s incredible about the finish is that it allows every single detail to still be seen in brilliant clarity. Everything from the individual feathers to the eagle’s glare staring at you in the background and the way the claw rips through the surface of the coin, it’s all there!
Limited mintage to 500 pieces worldwide.
On the Reverse side of the coin there are the eagle claws holding an arrow and seem to snatch the coin. The obverse of the coin features the Mongolian Coat of Arms and the inscriptions: "5000 TOGROG" – the face value, "MONGOLIA" – the issuing country and "5 OZ .999 SILVER" – the weight and fineness of the Silver.
Mongolia
Country in East Asia
Mongolia, a nation bordered by China and Russia, is known for vast, rugged expanses and nomadic culture. Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, centers around Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan) Square, named for the notorious founder of the 13th- and 14th-century Mongol Empire. Also in Ulaanbaatar are the National Museum of Mongolia, displaying historic and ethnographic artifacts, and the restored 1830 Gandantegchinlen Monastery. ― Google
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Population: 3.348 million (2021) World Bank
Currency: Mongolian Tugrik
Continent: Asia
Official language: Mongolian
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Parliamentary republic, Semi-presidential system
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2020 Palau S$10 Hunters By Night, Black Panther |
| Origin/Country: |
PALAU |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$10 2020 Black Panther |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Palau Hunters By Night Series (Black Panther)
Be careful. You’re being watched.
This 2 Oz Silver coin is the first edition of the new series “Hunters by Night” pictures an amazingly realistic front view of a Black Panther’s face. The coin features a realistic front view thanks to the Smartminting technology and the Obsidian Black quality combined with silk areas. Finally, the impressive ultra high relief of the enhanced smartminting© technology and the high gloss scary green eyes staring at you make this coin incredibly lifelike.
Have a look on the stunning reverse too. The moonlight lets you marvel at the crystal clear starry sky which is the perfect environment for the hunter to start its chase. The reverse of the coin depicts the Coat of Arms of Palau surrounded by the moonlight in a clear starry sky and the inscriptions: "REPUBLIC OF PALAU" - the issuing country, "10$" - the face value and "HUNTERS BY NIGHT" - the name of the series.
Although you would like to touch the shiny coat of the Panther you better run for your life and get one of these 2 oz crown size coins limited to only 888 pieces.
From Wikipedia:
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard (Panthera pardus) and the jaguar (Panthera onca). Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical rosettes are also present. They have been documented mostly in tropical forests, with black leopards in Africa and Asia, and black jaguars in South America. Melanism is caused by a recessive allele in the leopard, and by a dominant allele in the jaguar.
Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also named Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. The larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees. ― Google
Capital: Ngerulmud
Dialing code: +680
Population: 18,024 (2021)
World Bank
Currency: United States Dollar
Continent: Oceania
Official languages: Palauan, English
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2020 S2000T Mongolia, Mechanical Bee |
| Origin/Country: |
MONGOLIA |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S2000T 2020 3oz Mechanical Bee |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
2020 - Mongolia - Mechanical Bee: Clockwork Evolution
1st in the series.
Mintage: 999 pieces worldwide.
This one-of-a-kind 3 oz silver coin opens the “Clockwork Evolution” series. It is dedicated to a well-known insect – a bee.
The role of the bee in nature makes it a symbol of hard work, sustainability, and life. One more honey bee symbolism relates to fertility because of pollination. The bright yellow stripes on the bee represent the honey it produces. The yellow colour of the bee is also a symbol of the sun and the energy from which it gets life. Bees can be a reminder to be productive in our daily lives and give back to the world in the best way possible.
The coin is minted for the first time in a very particular way – it is half coloured and half mechanical. The coin is decorated with an innovative multilayered technique.
The obverse clockwork side is struck to a lower relief and the delineation between the two halves is sharply defined, thus giving the impression that we’re peeling back the natural layer to reveal the mechanical underpinnings. It reminds greatly of the scene in The Terminator, when the T-800 peels back the skin to reveal the exoskeleton below, looking almost like an engineering autopsy. The obverse of the coin images a bee in the strong contrast between real and mechanical, coloured and silver engraved.
The reverse of the coin depicts a clock mechanism, with many details and high relief, all engraved on the silver. The Mongolian coat of arms emblem and face value is also shown.
Mongolia
Country in East Asia
Mongolia, a nation bordered by China and Russia, is known for vast, rugged expanses and nomadic culture. Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, centers around Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan) Square, named for the notorious founder of the 13th- and 14th-century Mongol Empire. Also in Ulaanbaatar are the National Museum of Mongolia, displaying historic and ethnographic artifacts, and the restored 1830 Gandantegchinlen Monastery. ― Google
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Population: 3.348 million (2021) World Bank
Currency: Mongolian Tugrik
Continent: Asia
Official language: Mongolian
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Parliamentary republic, Semi-presidential system
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2021 S$1 Dingo |
| Origin/Country: |
NIUE |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$1 2021 Dingo |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
2021 – Australia At Night: Dingo
FIFTH COIN IN THIS POPULAR SERIES
Brought to Australian shores thousands of years ago, and by nature unpredictable, the Dingo is Australia’s native wild dog and largest carnivorous mammal. Noted for their speed, agility and stamina, dingoes are active at night, hunting in packs between dusk and dawn for prey including kangaroos, rabbits and wombats. Interestingly, although it could be the world’s oldest breed of dog, the dingo cannot bark. What the dingo can do, however, is swivel its head around almost a full 180 degrees in both directions!
Australia's Native Dog, The Dangerous Dingo
The Australian Dingo is an ancient, free roaming, primitive canine unique to the continent of Australia, specifically the outback. Its original ancestors are thought to have arrived with humans from southeast Asia thousands of years ago, when dogs were still relatively undomesticated and closer to their wild Asian Gray Wolf parent species, Canis lupus. Since that time, living largely apart from people and other dogs, as well as the demands of Australian ecology, has caused them to develop features and instincts that distinguish them from all other canines. Australian Dingoes have maintained ancient characteristics that unite them, along with other primitive dogs, into a taxon named after them, Canis lupus dingo, and has separated them from the domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris.
Dingoes play an important role in the various ecosystems of Australia; they are apex predators and the largest terrestrial predators on the continent. Due to their habit of attacking livestock and the vulnerability of sheep, dingoes and other wild dogs are seen as a pest by the sheep industry and the resulting control methods normally run counter to dingo conservation efforts. An important animal in Aboriginal culture, the dingo is depicted in many rock carvings and cave paintings.
Today, it is estimated that the majority of the modern "dingoes" are also descended from other domestic dogs. The number of these so-called dingo-hybrids had increased significantly over the last decades and the dingo was therefore classified as vulnerable. "Pure dingos" are getting rare, and are the subject of much debate and conservation efforts.
The latest release in this sought-after series is Australia's own wild dog, the resourceful and cunning Dingo. This medium-sized canid that possesses a lean, hardy body designed for speed, agility and stamina. Genetic evidence suggests that there has been no artificial selection over the past five millennia, so that the dingo therefore represents an early form of dog from 4,000–6,000 years ago. They have lived, bred, and undergone natural selection in the wild, isolated from other canids until the arrival of European settlers, resulting in an unique canid.
Limited mintage of 1,000 pieces worldwide.
Obverse
A mother Dingo rests with her two pups near their den, under the light of a full moon, while a large male Dingo howls at the same. The scene sports a proprietary black treatment to simulate the nighttime. The legends AUSTRALIA AT NIGHT and DINGO denote the theme.
Reverse
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II, the date of issue and denomination also appear, while the legend 1 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity.
Niue
Island Country
Niue is a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It’s known for its limestone cliffs and coral-reef dive sites. Migrating whales swim in Niue's waters between July and October. In the southeast is the Huvalu Forest Conservation Area, where trails through fossilized coral forests lead to the Togo and Vaikona chasms. The northwest is home to the rock pools of Avaiki Cave and the naturally formed Talava Arches. ― Google
Capital: Alofi
Dialing code: +683
Population: 1,620 (2018)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Continent: Oceania
Official languages: Niue, English
Government: Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy, Non-partisan democracy.
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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| Slot: |
2021 Cyborg Revolution - Alien $20 Palau |
| Origin/Country: |
PALAU |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S$20 2021 Alien Blackened |
| Grade: |
NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
2021 – Alien (Cyborg Revolution Series)
This extraordinary 3 Oz Silver coin is the first issue in the new “Cyborg Revolution” series, dedicated to the being with both organic and biomechatronic body parts. In this first edition – the Cyborg Alien! The coin has an impressive Ultra High Relief, thanks to the Smartminting technology, a Black Proof quality and a metallic green coloration.
Limited mintage to only 499 pcs worldwide!
The coin’s obverse depicts a science-fiction image of an Alien’s face, which has undergone substantial artificial modifications, becoming a cyborg. The representation is made in the first phase, in symmetry, the face of alien being divided into two parts – the normal one and the other part with everything under the skin of alien, the mechanical part, able to keep it alive. In the background, all the artificial elements, such as mechanical and electronic prostheses. On the left side of the obverse, the inscription: “2021” – the year of issue.
The reverse of the coin always depicts a mechanical part, with different control circuits. In the center, the inscription: “REPUBLIC OF PALAU” – the country of issue, “$20” – the face value.
Palau
Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also named Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. The larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees. ― Google
Capital: Ngerulmud
Official languages: Palauan, English
Continent: Oceania
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Non-partisan democracy
Currency: United States Dollar
Population: 18,024 (2021) World Bank+
Number of islands: 340 britannica.com
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.
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