881) "Sand Dollars II": Republic of Palau issues coordinated by Coin Invest Trust, minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich by using its unique Smartminting technology: Silver "Sand Dollar II" $1 Coins (2019):
About the Republic of Palau:
The Republic of Palau (also known as Belau oe 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 II" $1 coin issued by the Republic of Palau shown against the backdrop of a sandy sea-shore location
About the origin of the term "Sand Dollars":
These are popular souvenirs collected by tourists and beach-combers around the world. The "coin" gets its name from one of nature's marvels, which in reality is the skeleton of a sea-urchin. As soon as the sun causes the skeleton to fade to a white-silver colour, 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" (meaning "sea biscuits" or "sea cookies").
In Christian symbolism, the unique patterns on a Sand Dollar represent the birth, crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to a popular legend about 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.
The Sand Dollar II Coins:
The first Sand Dollar was issued by CIT (Coin Invest Trust AG) in 2017.
The second coin "Sand Dollar II" is a technological advancement over the first sand dollar and is a more refined and sophisticated design over the "Sand Dollar I".
The resemblance of the coin, which bears the face value of one dollar to a "real" sand dollar is rather striking. The delicate design on the Obverse, the uneven rim that becomes thinner towards the edge, the five oval cut-outs, have been improved upon by the use of the most advanced Smartminting technology. The perfect surface in silk finish makes this coin a "worry stone" (these stones are polished, smooth gemstones usually in the shape of an oval or a thumb-sized indentation, used for relaxation or anxiety relief.
The size of a worry stone is about half the size of a US silver dollar) and a miniature sculpture at once.
The Reverse of the Silver "Sand Dollar II" $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 Obverse of the Silver "Sand Dollar II" $1 coin shows the original Palau Coat of Arms. The inscriptions are - "REPUBLIC OF PALAU" (on the upper periphery) and "Sand Dollar", "1$" and "2019" on the lower periphery.
The specifications of this coin are:
Name of issuing country: Republic of Palau; Denominational value: 1$; Metallic Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1 Oz.; Diameter/Size: 50.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof, with Silk Finish; Mintage: 2019; Year of issue: 2019; Minted by: B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich for Republic of Palau coordinated by Coin Invest Trust A.G.
Links to some other interesting posts from Coin Invest Trust (CIT) on this blog:
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)
11) Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos): Silver & Gold 1500 Shilling coins issued by Tanzania through Coin Invest Trust (CIT) 2018
12) "Sand Dollars II": Republic of Palau issues coordinated by Coin invest Trust, minted by B.H.Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich by using its unique Smartminting technology: Silver Sand Dollar II" $1 Coins (2019)
The specifications of this coin are:
Name of issuing country: Republic of Palau; Denominational value: 1$; Metallic Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1 Oz.; Diameter/Size: 50.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof, with Silk Finish; Mintage: 2019; Year of issue: 2019; Minted by: B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich for Republic of Palau coordinated by Coin Invest Trust A.G.
Links to some other interesting posts from Coin Invest Trust (CIT) on this blog:
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)
11) Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos): Silver & Gold 1500 Shilling coins issued by Tanzania through Coin Invest Trust (CIT) 2018
12) "Sand Dollars II": Republic of Palau issues coordinated by Coin invest Trust, minted by B.H.Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich by using its unique Smartminting technology: Silver Sand Dollar II" $1 Coins (2019)
Ramchandra Lalingkar has commented:
ReplyDelete"Amazing history of 'Sand Dollars' ! Interesting !!"
Yes, Rambhau. The sea is really full of amazing natural wonders, which we imitate in some form or the other - some consciously and some unconsciously.
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