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Friday 31 July 2020

1439) 125 Years of Swarovski, The Great Sparkle, Austria: A postage stamp of 4.30 Euro issued by Osterreichische Post AG (Austrian Post) celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamp issue: 18.07.2020:

1439) 125 Years of Swarovski, The Great Sparkle, Austria: A postage stamp of 4.30 Euro issued by Osterreichische Post AG (Austrian Post) celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamp issue: 18.07.2020:

In 1895, Daniel Swarovski founded a company that revolutionised the world of jewellery. Even today, Swarovski crystals are known for their exceptional brilliance.

A skilled polisher of crystals, Daniel Swarovski developed a process that enabled gleaming crystals to be produced more quickly and at a lower cost, thereby making them affordable to the wider public.

The innovative businessman from Bohemia chose Wattens in Tyrol as the location for his company, because there he had access to sufficient hydro-electric power to operate his machinery.

Presently, the internationally successful corporation is still run as a family concern by the fifth generation.

Swarovski designs and produces high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones, synthetic diamonds and cubic zirconia, jewellery and accessories, as well as, interior design and lighting products.

Alongside this core business, it also produces optical products, as well as, tools and machinery for the construction industry.

The Swarovski Kristallwelten, which was opened in Wattens in 1995, as part of the Centenary celebrations (1895-1995) is particularly spectacular. The complete work of art, designed by Andre Heller, exhibits gleaming crystal art in 17 cabinets of curiosities, while the garden impresses with its many attractions, such as the sparkling crystal cloud.

To celebrate the 125th Anniversary milestone, the script on the commemorative stamp is embellished with silver foil.

The postage stamp of 4.30 Euro issued by "OSTERREICH" ("Austria") is titled "125 Jahre Swarovski" (meaning "125 Years of Swarowski") and shows a background image of Swarowski crystals.

This postage stamp was issued on 18.07.2020.









Links to posts on Austrian Mint Coin issues on this blog:









For posts on COTY (Coin of the Year) winners since 2015 in a competition held by Krause Publications of Germany, please visit the following links:

Links to posts on Federal Republic of Germany issues and other posts on this blog:




Thursday 30 July 2020

1438) "Pterodactyl", Niue Island: Third Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Dinosaur Coin Collection": A $2 One Oz. Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year: 2020:

1438) "Pterodactyl", Niue Island: Third Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Dinosaur Coin Collection": A $2 One Oz. Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year: 2020:

Pterodactyl:


The Header/Banner showing a Pterodactyl flying over a rocky antiqued surface, at left, and the Reverse of the Coin showing a Pterodactyl image, placed against a foreground image of the packing/presentation cases & Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

The Pterodactyl takes flight in this exciting Dinosaur Coin Collection struck in 1.0 Oz pure silver. 

The word "Pterodactylus" (commonly known as Pterodactyls) comes from the Greek word meaning "winged finger". This is an extinct genus which is also the first pterosaur genus to be named and identified as a flying reptile.

Fossils remains of Pterodactylus have primarily ben found in the Solhofen limestone of Bavaria, Germany, which dates back to the Late Jurassic period (early Tithonian stage) about 150.8 to 148.5 million years ago. More fragmentary remains of Pterodactylus have been found in Europe and Africa.

Pterodactylus was a carnivore that preyed on fish and other small animals. Its wings were formed by a skin and muscle membrane stretching from its elongated fourth finger to its hind limbs. Pterodactylus had extremely long, specially adapted fourth fingers, to which wings were attached.

It was a small Pterosaur compared to other small Pterosaurs like the Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus.

The Coin:


The Reverse of the $2 Silver Coin has been antiqued as part of the overall design aesthetic. This face shows a coloured, dramatic representation of an engraved image of the dragon-like, winged Pterodactyls in flight against a pre-historic background.

The inscription towards the upper periphery is "PRETODACTYL", while on the lower periphery is given the metallic composition of the coin - "1 Oz. 999 Fine Silver".


The Obverse of the $2 Silver Antiqued Coin depicts an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, whose initials "IRB" appear below the Queen's neck.

The peripheral inscriptions are - "ELIZABETH II. NIUE. TWO DOLLARS. 2020".
The outer Cardboard Packing Case depicting a Pterodactyl image flying over a rocky antiqued surface. The Packing Case is titled "DINOSAURS - PTERODACTYL".



The elegant Coin Case in which the Coin is presented, together with the Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

The Coin Presentation Case together with the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and the outer Cardboard Box depicting the Pterodactyl image flying over a rocky antiqued surface.


The Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

The specifications of this Silver coin are:

Coin Series Theme: "Dinosaur Coin Collection"; Coin Theme: Pterodactyl; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Antiqued/Coloured; Weight: 1.0 Troy Oz; Diameter/Size: 40.0 mm; Denomination: $2; Country of issue: Niue Island; Minted By: New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island; Year of issue: 2020; Mintage: 2,000 pieces.




For Coins issued in the Series - "Dinosaur Coin Collection", please visit the following links:



1) "Tyrannosaurus Rex", Niue Island: First Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Dinosaur Coin Collection": A $2 One Oz. Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year: 2020

2) "Triceratops", Niue Island: Second Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Dinosaur Coin Collection": A $2 One Oz. Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year: 2020

3) "Pterodactyl", Niue Island: Third Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Dinosaur Coin Collection": A $2 One Oz. Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year: 2020


Links to Posts on coin issues from Niue Islands:



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

1) Bank of Papua New Guinea: 36th Anniversary Celebrations (1973-2008): A Commemorative Uncirculated Coin Set consisting of a 2 Kina Banknote & a 2 Kina Coin



 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

32) "Kangaroos at Dawn", Australia, replaces the "Kangaroo at Sunset" Coin Series:25 Dollar Gold 1/5 Oz Coin and 1 Dollar Silver 1/2 Oz Coins brought out by the Royal Australian Mint

33) Australian Redback Spider: The first coin in a new $1 (AUD) Silver Bullion Coin Series, brought out by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) in a series titled "Australia's Most Dangerous": Coin issue year: 2020 

34) QANTAS (Queensland And North Territory Aerial Service), Australia: Centenary Anniversary Celebrations (1920-2020): A Commemorative $1 (AUD) Coin issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM; b) An 11-Coin set featuring an aircraft from QANTAS's 100 year old history and the Kangaroo Penny, which inspired its "Flying Kangaroo" logo: Coin issue Year: 2020

35) Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Niue: A $100 (AUD) Pearl 1 Oz. Gold Proof Coin: Date/Year of issue - 2020

36) "Gold Rush, 1851", Australia: Gold (10 Dollars), Silver (1 Dollar) and Aluminium Bronze (1 Dollar) Coins minted by the Royal Australian Mint commemorate the Era of Australia's Gold Rush; Year of issue: 2020

37) Indian-Pacific Railway Service, Australia: 50th Anniversary of the iconic train service: A Commemorative 50 Cent Coin issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM): Year of issue: 2020:

38) The ill-fated ship "Batavia", Australia: "Australian Shipwreck Coin Series": The first Gold 100 Dollars Triangular shaped Bullion Coin minted by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM): Coin issued in 2019

39) The ill-fated ship "Vergulde Draeck" (or the "Gilt Dragon"), Australia: The second Gold 100Dollars and Silver 1 Dollar Triangular shaped Bullion Coins minted by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM): Coin issued in 2020

40) The "Tooth Fairy", Australia: A $2 (Two Dollars) Coin issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM): Coin issue Year: 2020

41) Native Daphne Moths, New Zealand: A set of six stamps depicting Native Daphne Moths issued by New Zealand Post: Stamp set issue date: 05.02.2020

42) "Kakariki" - (Parakeets), New Zealand: A set of five stamps issued by New Zealand Post featuring Parakeets found in New Zealand: Date of Stamp issue: 04.03.2020

43) Maui and the First Dog ("Maui Raua Ko Irawaru"), New Zealand: A set of two Gold Coins ($10 NZD each) and two Silver Coins (1 NZD each) issued by the New Zealand Mint & minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich: Date of Coin Set issue: 26.02.2020

44) The "Emu in the Sky Constellation", Australia: First Coin in the Star Dreaming Coin Series": A $1 (One Dollar) Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM): YEar of coin issue: 2020

 45) New Zealand "Bear Hunt": A set of six stamps brought out by New Zealand Post, supporting the Red Cross - featuring Teddy Bears, selected to exemplifythe creativity and care put into the Bear Hunt by and for Kiwis: Date of Stamp set issue: 20.05.2020

46) "Matariki", New Zealand: "Nga Hau e Wha" (or "The Four Winds") featured on a set of four stamps featuring the Easterly, Westerly, Northerly and Southerly Winds brought out by New Zealand Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 03.06.2020


47) "Kookaburra" Silver Bullion Coin, Australia: 30th Anniversary milestone Commemorative Coins issued by the Perth Mint, Australia with 3 Silver Coin Variants (1, 10 and 30 Dollars) of the Commemorative Design: Year of issue: 2020

48) Feral Brumbies, Australia: "Horses Coin Series": 1 Dollar Silver Bullion Coins issued in its on-going Coin Series featuring various horse breeds on the Australian Continent, brought out by Perth Mint, Australia: Date of Coin issue: 22.06.2020

49) "Back To The Future", Niue: A $2 (Two Dollars) Silver Proof Colourised Coin minted by the Perth Mint, Australia on behalf of Niue on the 35th Anniversary of the Film: Year of issue: 2020


50) Kiwi Cakes and Bakes, New Zealand: A set of 15 Stamps of $1.40 each, issued by New Zealand Post featuring classic baked treats, popular in New Zealand: Date of Stamp Set issue: 01.07.2020

51) Great Southern Land, Australia: A Silver Proof Opal $1, One Oz. Coin, minted by the Perth Mint, Australia, featuring the unique Wildlife in Australia & the country's place in World Opal production: Date of Coin issue: 07.07.2020

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)  



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


5) "Tree of Life", Palau: First Coin in a new Coin Series titled "Dot Art" features "Pointillism", an Art Technique of the 1800s: A Silver Black Proof $20 Coin minted with Smartminting Technology, coordinated by Numiscollect: Date of Coin issue: 05/2020

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 Sindbad the 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) Birds of Paradise, Niue Islands: A 1 Oz Silver $2 Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Islands: Coin minting Year: 2020

8) The "Norse Dragon" (or Dreki"), Niue Island: The "Mythical Dragons of the World Coin Series": Minted by the New Zealand Mint: The third Silver 5 Dollars Selectively Coloured Coin in the Series features the Norse Dragon: Date of Coin issue: 14.02.2020

9) "Tyrannosaurus Rex", Niue Island: First Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Dinosaur Coin Collection": A $2 One Oz. Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year: 2020


10) Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Niue: A $100 (AUD) Pearl 1 Oz. Gold Proof Coin: Date/Year of issue - 2020


11) "Triceratops", Niue Island: Second Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Dinosaur Coin Collection": A $2 One Oz. Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year: 2020

12) Winnie the Pooh, Niue: A Silver $2 (Two Dollars) Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on bahalf of Niue:First Coin in a four coin series themed "Winnie the Pooh and Friends": Year of Coin issue: 2020



Links to posts on Coin issues from Solomon Islands:


1) Remembering the Fallen during World War I (1914-1918), Solomon Islands: A 5 Ounce Silver $10 Coin depicting a field of Red Poppies

2) Solomon Islands: 250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook's first Pacific "Voyage of Discovery" and charting of New Zealand and Australia's East Coast: Date of issue: 2020

3) Currency and Coinage of the Solomon Islands: Dollars and Cents

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









23) 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

24) 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



25)"Estacado" - Meteorite Impacts Coin Series: 2 Dollars Titanium-Silver Coin issued by the Cook Islands in co-ordination with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH issued in 08/2019
26) Peter Carl Faberge: 100th Anniversary of his passing away (1920-2020): Coin invest Trust (CIT) has issued a commemorative silver coin of 1000 Togrog on behalf of the Republic of Mongolia, featuring Faberge's "Apple Blossom Egg", the biggest and most well known of his creations: Coin issue date/Year: 2020 

27) All Hallows Eve' (or "Hallowe'en") Coin Republic of Palau: $1 Gold Coin issued by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of the Republic of Palau: Coin minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich: Year of issue: 2019



The 7-Summits Silver Coin Series:


Links on Batman and Superman Posts on this Blog: