563) The Collared Lory: National Bird of Fiji depicted on the country's first ever titanium colour coins of denominations of $1 (Titanium) coin and $2 (Sterling Silver) coin minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK issued on 21.08.2017:
About the Collared Lory:
The Collared Lory is the National Bird of Fiji and is endemic to the Islands. Locally, it is known as "Kula".
It is the only rainforest bird to have successfully adapted to urban landscapes.
The Collared Lory has greenish upper parts, bright scarlet chest and a face with a purple crown. There is also slight sexual dimorphism within this species, with the males tending to be more vibrant in colour than the females.
This bird is usually found in pairs or small groups and grows to around 20 cms in height. It generally feeds on a diet of fruit seeds, nectar and blossoms.
The Collared Lory primarily nests in hollow trees such as coconut palms, but has been found nesting inside rotton coconuts that are still attached to the tree. They typically have a clutch of 2 eggs that they incubate for about 30 days and are known to fiercely defend their nests/young against predators.
$1 Titanium Coin:
The Reverse of the Titanium $1 coin shows a pair of Collared Lories
$1 Titanium Coin:
On the Reverse of the $1 Titanium coin is depicted a beautiful pair of Collared Lories perched on tree branches. This elegant design captures and brings to life the texture of the Lory's feathers which is quite striking.
The Reverse and Obverse of the $1 Titanium coin shown together against the backdrop of the Ocean
On the Obverse of the $1 Titanium coin is featured the Fijian Coat of Arms - a heraldic design consisting of a shield with the cross of St. George, Fijian Warriors, a canoe and a Lion on a stunning proof-background.
As Titanium reacts differently with every strike, each Collared Lory coin is "technically" different and varies slightly in colour. There is also, a lined effect that is present on the coins which are unique to this metal.
As Titanium reacts differently with every strike, each Collared Lory coin is "technically" different and varies slightly in colour. There is also, a lined effect that is present on the coins which are unique to this metal.
The specifications of the $1 Titanium coin are:
Metallic Composition: 990 Green Titanium; Diameter/Size: 36.10 mm; Weight: 10.00 grams; Release date: 21.08.2017; No. of pieces issued: 7,500.
Remarks: The Titanium $1 coin is encapsulated in an acrylic capsule for protection and is housed in a stunning red box with a Certificate of authenticity.
The Coat of Arms of Fiji was granted by Royal Letters Patent on 04.07.1908. The details are:
Remarks: The Titanium $1 coin is encapsulated in an acrylic capsule for protection and is housed in a stunning red box with a Certificate of authenticity.
Coat of Arms/Emblem of Fiji:
Crest: A Fijian Canoe with outrigger in full sail proper.
Torse: Of the colours.
Escutcheon: Argent, a Cross Gules, between in the first quarter three Sugar canes couped, in the second, a cocoa-nut palm also couped, in the third a Dove Volant holding in the beak a branch of Banana fruits slipped, all proper, on a chief Gules, a Lion passant guardant, holding between the forepaws a Cocoa pod proper.
Supporters: Dexter, a Fijian native affronty, round his waist a Tupu Sulu, holding in the exterior hand a barbed spear all proper, sinister a like native in profile holding in the exterior hand a pineapple club in bend sinister.
Motto (on a ribbon) below the shield: “Rerevaka na kalou ka doka na Tui” (“Fear God and honour the King”).
Explanation:
The shield has images both representing Fiji’s primary produce and its links with both colonial and pre-colonial past.
The English Lion stands above the Cross of St. George, but in its paws holds a cocoa pod, an indigenous produce.
Three of the four quarters around the Cross also show indigenously grown crops: sugarcanes, coconut palm and a bunch of bananas. The fourth quarter shows a Dove of peace, which is the main element of the Flag of King Cakobau, the first King of Fiji.
The $2 Sterling Silver Coin:
Obverse of the $2 Sterling Silver coin
On the Reverse of the $2 Sterling Silver coin is depicted a beautiful pair of Collared Lories perched on tree branches. This elegant design captures and brings to life the texture of the Lory's feathers which is quite striking.
On the Obverse of the $2 Sterling Silver coin is featured the Fijian Coat of Arms - a heraldic design consisting of a shield with the cross of St. George, Fijian Warriors, a canoe and a Lion on a stunning proof-background.
The $2 Sterling Silver Coin:
On the Reverse of the $2 Sterling Silver coin is depicted a beautiful pair of Collared Lories perched on tree branches. This elegant design captures and brings to life the texture of the Lory's feathers which is quite striking.
On the Obverse of the $2 Sterling Silver coin is featured the Fijian Coat of Arms - a heraldic design consisting of a shield with the cross of St. George, Fijian Warriors, a canoe and a Lion on a stunning proof-background.
The specifications of the $2 Sterling Silver coin are:
Metallic Composition: .925 Sterling Silver; Diameter/Size: 38.60 mm; Weight: 28.28 grams; Release date: 21.08.2017; No. of pieces issued: 2,000.
Remarks: The Sterling Silver $2 coin is encapsulated in an acrylic capsule for protection and is housed in a stunning red box with a Certificate of Authenticity.
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
17) Currency & coinage of the Kingdom of Tonga : Pa'anga & Seniti
18) Postage Stamps & Coin: Commemorating the Centenary of the Trans-Australian Railway Line stamps issued by Australia Post & coins by Perth Mint on 04.07.2017
19) The Collared Lory: National Bird of Fiji: featured on a $1 Titanium Coin and a $2 Sterling silver coin, minted by Pobjoy Mint UK
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
17) Currency & coinage of the Kingdom of Tonga : Pa'anga & Seniti
18) Postage Stamps & Coin: Commemorating the Centenary of the Trans-Australian Railway Line stamps issued by Australia Post & coins by Perth Mint on 04.07.2017
19) The Collared Lory: National Bird of Fiji: featured on a $1 Titanium Coin and a $2 Sterling silver coin, minted by Pobjoy Mint UK
Links to interesting posts on coins from Tuvalu Islands:
1)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean :2) Edward Teach or "BlackBeard"
2)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean: 3)Bartholomew Roberts or Black Bart Roberts
3)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean:4)Jack Rackham
4)Famous-pirates-of- the Caribbean : 5) Henry Avery
5)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean : 6) Sir Henry Morgan
6)Norse Goddess Freya - a Silver 2 Dollars High Relief antiquated Coin , the first in the Series titled "Norse Goddesses" (2017)
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 $10 Silver coins issued by Cook islands in 2016, under its "Milestones of Mankind Series".
4) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series".
5) Quilling Art: Silver 2 Dollars coins issued - Flowers (2016) & Bird (2017)
Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:
5) Republic of Palau issues "Sand Dollars": Silver & Gold 1$ coins
1)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean :2) Edward Teach or "BlackBeard"
2)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean: 3)Bartholomew Roberts or Black Bart Roberts
3)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean:4)Jack Rackham
4)Famous-pirates-of- the Caribbean : 5) Henry Avery
5)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean : 6) Sir Henry Morgan
6)Norse Goddess Freya - a Silver 2 Dollars High Relief antiquated Coin , the first in the Series titled "Norse Goddesses" (2017)
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 $10 Silver coins issued by Cook islands in 2016, under its "Milestones of Mankind Series".
4) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series".
5) Quilling Art: Silver 2 Dollars coins issued - Flowers (2016) & Bird (2017)
Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:
5) Republic of Palau issues "Sand Dollars": Silver & Gold 1$ coins
Krishnayya Ramadana has commented:
ReplyDelete"Rajeev, the bird looks beautiful and so does the coin...."
Yes, Krishnayya. This bird has been chosen out of the various colourful birds found in the Fijian Island Group, as the National Bird of Fiji. There have been several series of coins in the past representing the Fijian Avifauna, but this is the first time a Titanium coin has been issued.
DeleteVikram Bhatnagar has commented:
ReplyDelete"Is the coin green in colour? If yes, it would make it prettier! Nice description."
Thanks, Vikram. Yes, Green titanium has been used to bring out the features of the actual bird to the best possible extent. A pretty good job done by the British Pobjoy Mint, London.
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