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Saturday, 24 August 2019

1070) Niue Island: Aladdin and the Magic Lamp: The "1001 Arabian Nights Tales": The Third Coin in the "Legendary Tales Coin Series" features this Tale on a Silver $2 Crown Coin issued by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island in the South Pacific: Coin issued in 2019:

1070) Niue Island: Aladdin and the Magic Lamp: The "1001 Arabian Nights Tales": The Third Coin in the "Legendary Tales Coin Series" features this Tale on a Silver $2 Crown Coin issued by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island  in the South Pacific: Coin issued in 2019:

The Government and Treasury of Niue Island in the South Pacific have issued a new Silver $2 Crown Coin, which is the third coin in an exciting series of issues titled the "Legendary Tales Coin Collection/Series", that features tales from the Arabic "The Thousand and One Arabian Nights" tales.

"The Thousand and One Nights" (also called "The Arabian Nights" and in Arabic "Alf Laylah wa Laylah") is a collection of Middle Eastern and Indian stories, whose original authorship is obscured in the mists of time. Nevertheless, these tales fascinate the listener with fairy tales, romances, legends, fables, parables, anecdotes  and exotic or realistic adventures. The tales span several countries in their range of origin - India, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey and Greece.

The first known reference to the "1001 Arabian nights" is a 9th Century fragment. The next reference is from 947 AD by al-Mas'udi in an essay on a discussion of legendary stories from India, Iran and Greece titled "Hazaar Afsane" (meaning "A housand Tales")

In 987 AD, Ibn al-Nadim mentioned that Abu Abd Allah ibn Abdus al-Jahshiyari began a collection of 1000 popular Arabic, Iranian, Indian, Greekand other tales but, he died when only 480 stories were written/compiled.

As such, the original title "One Thousand and One Tales" and "One Thousand and One Nights" was intended only to convey that a large number of stories have been compiled/collated and was not to be taken literally. Much later, more stories were added to make up this number.

Several persons later worked on the compilation of the Tales including from Egypt, and translations by Arthur Muller.

By the mid-twentieth Century, six successive forms/writings were identified - two 8th Century Arabic translations of the Persian  "Hazaar Afsane" (called "Alf Khurafah") and "Alf Laylah", a 9th Century version of Alf Laylah, but including other stories then known.

The 10th Century work by al-Jahshiyari, a 12th Century collection including Egyptian Tales and the final version, extending to the 16th Century and consisting of the earlier material with the addition of stories of the Islamic Counter-Crusades and tales brought to the Middle East by Mongols were all included.

The ten best known Tales, known the world over are - Shahryar and Scheherazade, Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Aladdin's wonderful Lamp, The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor, The Three apples, The Tale of The Hunchback, The Vizier and the Sage Duban, The Fisherman and the Djinni, The Lovers of Bassorah, The Three Princes and Princess Nouronnihar also got added to the corpus.

In 1704 and 1717, the first European translation of the Tales which was also the first published edition was done by Antoine Galland as "Les Mille et Une Nuits, contes arabes traduits en francais" (12 volumes). His translation remained standard until the mid-19th Century, some portions even being re-translated into Arabic, the Arabic text being published at Calcutta (present day Kolkata).

French and English continuations, versions or editions of Galland, later added more stories from oral traditions and manuscript sources.

Among the best-known translations into English are of Richard Francis Bacon, who published translations from the Arabic Nights Tales in ten volumes, in 1885, which he called "The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night". His addendum "Supplementary Nights" was published between 1886 and 1888 in six volumes.

The Aladdin Tale/Story:

The folktale of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is one of the most popular tales from the "1,001 Nights", although it was not added to the collection until the 18th Century by the French scholar antoine Galland. 

A classic "rags to riches" story, it features a young hero -Aladdin - who learns an important lesson. The storyline has an exotic setting, a bit of magic, a beautiful heroine and an evil villain.

In the tale, a sorcerer befriends Aladdin and then attempts to double-cross him, eventually leaving him trapped in a cave full of treasure. Fortunately, Aladdin still has a magic ring lent to him by the sorcerer. When Aladdin rubs his hands in despair, he inadvertently/unknowingly rubs the ring and a "genie" ("Djinn") appears, who takes him home to his mother. Aladdin is still carrying the lamp that the sorcerer wanted from the cave and when his mother tries to clean it, a second and far more powerful "genie" appears before them.

With the help of the "genie" of the lamp, Aladdin becomes rich and powerful and marries princess Badroulbadour, the Emperor's daughter and lives happily ever after.


The Coin:

This Coin is minted by the New Zealand Mint at their facilities in Auckland, on behalf of the Treasury of Niue Island.


             The Reverse of the $2 Silver Crown Coin
The Reverse of the Silver $2 Crown Coin is inspired by the tale of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. Beautifully engraved, this face shows Aladdin in the cave and the genie appearing out of the lamp.


                The Obverse of the $2 Silver Crown Coin

The Obverse of the $2 Silver Crown Coin includes the new Crest/Emblem of the Government of Niue, which is being used for the first time in this Coin Series.

Above the Emblem on the upper periphery is the denomination of the Coin "TWO DOLLARS" and on the lower periphery is the year of issue "2019".

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: Two Dollars; Metal Composition: .999 Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1 Troy Oz; Diameter/Size: 40.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with Antique Finish; Maximum Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Year of issue: 2019; Mint: New Zealand Mint on behalf of the Treasury of Niue Island. 

The new Crest of Niue Island:

The Crown: A representation of Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State of Niue, the Crown is placed atop a garland wreath.

Garland Wreath ("Kahoa-Fakahoa Motu"): A traditional Niuean design, the symbolism of the garland wreath in 14 segments represents the 14 villages comprising the island nation of Niue.

Central imagery: The outer ring represents Niue's custom of weaving and handicrafts. Traditional Niuean design is used to represent the binding of Niue to the rest of the world, with the world being represented by the circular shape of the design.

The inner ring incorporates the traditional Niuean design of the "lau niu/pola".

The triangles shown inside the border of the ring represent the frequent use in traditional Niuean hiapo design, but also represent a jagged edge that refers to the "Rock of Polynesia".

Stylised Tree in the Centre: The representations are traditional Niuean designs that characterise growth and prosperity. The tree itself represents life and is inspired by the flora of Niue. The placement of the tree in the centre represents life on Niue, sustenance and the culture of Niue and its people.


The Silver coin comes in a book-style packaging in keeping with its Arabic theme. The Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is printed alongside the coin














Links to posts on Australia, New Zealand and countries and Overseas Territories of the South Pacific on this Blog:


2) Papua New Guinea: An uncirculated coin set brought out in 1995 commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Independence 


 3) Currency & Coinage of the Solomon 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



20) The Earth and Beyond Coin Series issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM): First coin in the series - The Earth - issued on 03.04.2018


21) Wedge Tailed Eagle Coin Series: 200 Dollars Gold, 100 Dollars Gold & 1 Dollar Silver coins brought out by the Perth Mint, Australia in its on-going series started in 2014 in collaboration with John Mercanti, Chief Engraver of the US Mint: Coins issued in 2018


22) Australian Kangaroo Coin Series: 25th Anniversary Commemoration: A $100 Gold Coin and a $10 Silver Coin with selective gold plating issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) in 2018


23) "Kangaroo at Sunset": The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) is phasing out this iconic $25 Gold Coin from its repertoire of Commemorative Coins in 2018


24) "Discovery": An exclusive one piece - 2 Kilo Gold Coin studded with four Argyle Pink Diamonds/Gemstones minted by the Perth Mint, Australia in co-ordination with the Argyle Pink Diamonds Mine on 04.09.2018


25) "The Moon": The Earth and Beyond three Silver Coin Series: Royal Australian Mint issues the second coin in the series - a silver coloured Five (AUD) Dollars Concave-shaped (Domed) Coin on 03.09.2018


26) New $10 Australian Banknote issued on 18.09.2017 under the "Fourth Series of Banknotes": New generation of Australian Banknotes being introduced in a phased manner from 09/2016 onwards by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)

27) New Australian 50 Dollar Banknote (AUD $50) issued in 10/2018, under the "Fourth Series of Banknotes": New Generation of Australian Banknotes introduced in a phased manner from 09/2016 onwards by Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)


28) "Lake Argyle" - "The Jewel of the Kimberley", Australia: Limited Edition Series of Rare diamond ingots in Pink Gold (10 Oz. & 1 Oz.) and Platinum (1 Oz.) studded with eight Argyle Pink Diamonds each issued by the Perth Mint, Australia in collaboration with the Argyle Pink Diamond Mine (2018)


29) "The Sun": The Earth and Beyond Coin Series": Royal australian Mint (RAM) issues the third and final coin in the three-coin Series, a Silver Coloured Five (AUD) Dollars Concave-shaped (Domed) Coin on 03.02.2019


30) Australia New Generation $20 Banknote is scheduled to be released in October 2019, joining the already released Banknotes in the denominations of $5, $10 and $50 in the new Series

31) The Afghan Express, Australia's iconic Train nicknamed "The Ghan": 90th Anniversary of the iconic Transcontinental Passenger Train: A 50 Cent Colour applied coin brought out by the Royal Australian Mint on 08.07.2019

Links to interesting Posts on coins from Tuvalu Islands:

Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:

2) Four Leaf Clover - Coin titled "Silver Fortune" - A 5 Dollars Silver coin issued by Coin Invest Trust in 2018


3) Totem Pole 2 Oz. or 10 Dollars Silver coin from the Republic of Palau being issued on 12.06.2018


4) The "Maneki Neko Cat" ot the "Fortune Cat" : A $1 Gold Coin issued by the Republic of Palau: Minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich for Coin Invest Trust in 2018


Links to Posts on coin issues from Niue Islands:

1) Battle of Marathon: Battles that changed History Coin Series: A $2 Silver coin issued by the New Zealand Mint of behalf of Niue Islands in 2018


2) Sachin Tendulkar: "World's Greatest Batsman": Gold & Silver coins issued by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Islands in 2015


3) The Red Dragon, an issue from Niue Island: minted by the New Zealand Mint: "The Mythical Dragons of the World Coin Series": The first Silver 5 Dollars selectively coloured Coin in the Series features the "Red Dragon of Vortigern": Year of issue: 2019

4) "The Four Dragons", Niue Island: Minted by the New Zealand Mint: The "Mythical Dragons of the World Coin Series": The second Silver 5 Dollars Selectively Coloured Coin in the Series features the Four Dragons: the Long Dragon, the Yellow Dragon, the Black Dragon and the Pearl Dragon: Year of issue: 2019

5) The "1001 Arabian Nights Tales": First $2 Silver crown Coin coin in the Series depicts the "story of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves": Coin issue date: 29.03.2019

6) Niue Island: "The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor": The "1001 Arabian Nights Tales": The Second Coin in the Series features the story of Sindbadthe Sailor, on a $2 Silver Crown Coin issued by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island in the South Pacific: Issue date: 05/2019

7) Niue Island: Aladdin and the Magic Lamp: The "1001 Arabian Nights Tales": The Coin in the "Legendary Tales Coin Series" features this Tale on a Silver $2 Crown Coin issued by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island in the South Pacific: Coin issued in 2019

Other links to interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries:





20) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich

21) Arowana Dragon Fish, Republic of Palau: A Silver $10 (Dollars) Coin brought out by Coin Invest Trust (CIT) for the Republic of Palau, minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich: Issue year: 2019


Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands minted by Coin Invest Trust:
The 7-Summits Silver Coin Series:

3 comments:

  1. Satyajit Pratap has commented:
    "The authors of these Weaver's of our child hood dreams and those of my children being unknown , is a surprising fact ... Thanks."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Satyajit, these stories are a compilation of several, oral ones, quite a few coming out of India. These were distributed through interactions among sailors, trading outposts in various countries etc. Several persons worked on compiling these stories and writing them down over several centuries. It is an amazing work of compilation through several dedicated writers/compilers. Only a small list of such compilers is now known to us.

      Delete
    2. Satyajit Pratap has further commented:
      "Thanks. Really didn't know about it !!"

      Delete