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“Sand Dollars”: Republic of Palau issues, minted by Coin Invest Trust, by using
its unique Smartminting technology in March 2017: 1)Silver "Sand Dollar" $1 Coins; 2 )
Gold "Sand Dollar" $1 Coins:
About Palau:
The Republic of Palau (also
known as Belau or Pelew) is an archipelago of over 250 islands, forming the
western chain of the Caroline Islands and are a part of the Micronesia region
in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror is the most populous Island and is the
Island’s commercial centre. Larger Babeldaob has the present capital,
Ngerulmud, and has several scenic mountains and sandy beaches on its east
coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as “Badruchau” lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees.
Presently, Palau is a
Presidential Republic in free association with the United States of America.
The Silver "Sand Dollar" $1 coins issued by the Republic of Palau against the backdrop of an idyllic sea-shore location
About the origin of the term
"Sand Dollars:
These are
popular souvenirs collected by tourists and beachcombers around the world.
The sun-bleached skeletons
of these sea-urchins resemble old Spanish and American Dollar Coins which led
early settlers to refer to them as “sand dollars”. In Spanish-speaking
countries, they are often known as “galletas
de mar” which means “sea biscuits” or “sea cookies”.
Legends:
In Christian symbolism,
the unique patterns on a Sand Dollar represent the birth, crucifixion and the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
According to one popular
legend of the sand dollar, the central star represents the Star
of Bethlehem, the five Petals surrounding the Star show an “Easter Lily” and
the five holes indicate the wounds of Christ’s crucifixion.
The backside of a Sand
Dollar carries five “doves” (the remnants of the sea-urchin’s teeth) inside it.
When the sand dollar is broken apart, the doves emerge to spread peace and joy.
A second legend
believes that sand dollars are mythical coins lost by mermaids and washed
ashore, while a third legend considers them to be the currency of the
lost Continent of Atlantis.
Whichever legend one believes
in, these delicate sand dollar coins issued by the Republic of Palau, represent
“sand dollars” in a very literal sense.
About the Coins:
About the Coins:
The Obverse of the Silver
1$ Coin shows marine life, in particular a sea-mermaid, dolphins angel
fish and sea-plants, within a broken band on the outer periphery. On the upper right
periphery is inscribed the name of the issuing country “REPUBLIC OF PALAU”,
while on the lower right corner is the denominational value of the coin titled “Sand
Dollar”, “1$” and the year of issue “2017”.
The Reverse of the Silver
1$ Coin shows the Easter
Lily, which represents the Star of Bethlehem, with five Petals
surrounding the Star and the five holes indicate the wounds of Christ’s
crucifixion.
The coin comes in a “treasure
chest” collector’s box along with a Certificate of Genuineness.
The specifications of this coin are:
Name
of issuing country: Republic of Palau; Denominational value: 1$; Metallic composition: .999
Silver; Weight: One Ounce; Size/Diameter: 50.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 2,017 pieces.
by the Republic of Palau, represent
“sand dollars” in a very literal sense.
The Obverse of the Gold
1$ Coin shows on the top centre the name of the issuing country “REPUBLIC
OF PALAU”, together with the Coat of Arms of Palau. while on the lower periphery
is the denominational value of the coin titled “Sand Dollar” and the year of
issue “2017”.
The Reverse of the Gold
1$ Coin shows the Easter
Lily, which represents the Star of Bethlehem, with five Petals
surrounding the Star and the five holes indicate the wounds of Christ’s
crucifixion.
The specifications of this coin are:
Name
of issuing country: Republic of Palau; Denominational value: 1$; Metallic composition: .999 Gold;
Weight: One Ounce; Size/Diameter: 13.92 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant
Uncirculated (BU); Mintage:
2,017 pieces.
Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands minted by Coin Invest Trust:
1) Brexit : Britain's exit from the EEC : Coins issued by the Cook islands in the denomination of $1, $5 and $ 20 in 2016
2) 150th Anniversary of "The Great Tea Race - 1866": Commemorative Coins in the denomination of 10 and 2 Dollars issued by Cook Islands in 2016
3) The Mystical Ancient Egyptian Labyrinth depicted on $10 Silver coins issued by Cook islands in 2016, under its "Milestones of Mankind Series".
4) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series".
5) Queen Guinevere: The second coin in the six coin "Camelot Series".
6) Republic of Palau issues "Sand Dollars": Silver & Gold 1$ coins
Links to Posts on Australia, New Zealand and countries and Overseas Territories of the South Pacific on this blog:
1) Bank of Papua New Guinea: 36th Anniversary Celebrations (1973-2008): A Commemorative Uncirulated Coin Set consisting of a 2 Kina Banknote & a 2 Kina Coin
2) Papua New Guinea: An uncirculated coin set brought out in 1995 commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Independence
3) Currency & Coinage of the Soloman Islands: Dollars and Cents
4) New Zealand: New Banknote "Seventh Series" issued under Project "Brighter Money" from 2015 onwards
5) Coinage of the French Polynesian Island of Caledonia (or Nouvelle Caledonie) the CFP Franc
6) French Institution for issuing uniform currency/coinage for French Overseas Territories in the Pacific and the French Southern Territories of Antarctica: The Institut d'emmission d'outre Mer (IEOM)
7) Currency & Coinage of Samoa: Tala and Sene
8) Currency of the South Pacific Island Country of Fiji
9) Coinage of New Zealand: A commemorative coin set issued in 1979
10) Currency and Coinage of Australia: Dollars and Cents
11) The Australian Emblem or the Coat of Arms
12) The story of the Australian Penny
13) The Legend of the Mutiny on the Bounty: A Commemorative Coin Set from the Pitcairn Islands depicting relics from the Bounty issued in 2009
14) An Australian $5 coin issued in 1996, commemorating Australia's greatest cricketing legend - Sir Donald Bradman
15) New Series/Generation of Australian Banknotes being introduced from 01.09.2016 onwards starting from $5 issues
16) Southern Lights: A $1 Silver holographic coin issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in January 2017
Vishnu Chandra Bajpai has commented:
ReplyDelete"Excellent designs".
Indeed, Sir. A lot of thought has gone into the designing of these coins. I first thought that the figure of the mermaid was a representation of a sea-urchin. Had to do a double take to actually see the mermaid which connects to one of the historical legends.
DeleteRamchandra Lalingkar has commented:
ReplyDelete"This is the first time I have seen the holes in the coins with 'specific' meaning to it. Interesting!!"
I found them very interesting too, Lalingkar sahab. The designer & the engraver of this coin have really given a lot of thought to the historical legends and putting the designs on the coin face.
DeleteAjeet Shukla has commented:
ReplyDelete"Interesting sir."
Thank you, Ajeet.
Delete