1442) "Woolly Mammoth", Ghana: First Gold & Silver Bullion Coins released in "Giants of the Ice Age" Bullion Coin Series issued by Bank of Ghana: Coins minted by Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung GmbH (Precious Metals Factory): Year of Coin issue: 2019:
The Bank of Ghana has released its first variant Gold and Silver Bullion Coins titled - "Giants of the Ice Age Coin Series". The Coin Series, when completed, will include eight animals which lived during the Ice-Age.
During the time, known as the Pleistocene Era was the planet's most recent Ice Age and it was a geological epoch that lasted from about 25,80,000 to 11,700 years ago.
Towards the end of this Ice age, a wide assortment of animals roamed the Earth and several familiar species thriving today are descended from many of these Ice Age ancestors.
Curiously, evolutionary changes during the Pleistocene were generally minor because of the short interval of time involved. However, they were the greatest among mammals. In fact, the epoch has been sub-divided into mammalian ages based on the appearance of certain migrant or epidemic forms.
Among one of these species was the "Woolly Mammoth", which features on the first coin in the series.
Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius):
The Woolly Mammoth is an extinct species of mammoth that lived during the Pleistocene until its extinction in the early Holocene epoch.
It was one of the last in a line of mammoth species, beginning with Mammathus subplanifrons in the early Pilocene.
It is among the best studied of any pre-historic animal, because of the discovery of frozen carcasses in Siberia and Alaska, as well as, depiction of life in pre-historic cave paintings.
The Woolly Mammoth was roughly the same size as modern African elephants and was well adapted to the cold environment of the last Ice Age, being covered in fur, with an outer covering of long guard hair and a short undercoat. The ears and tail were short to minimise frostbite and heat loss. It had long, curved tusks and four molars.
Its behaviour was similar to that of modern elephants and it used its tusks and trunk for manipulating objects, fighting and foraging. Its diet was mainly grasses and sedges. It could reach up to the age of 60 years.
Its habitat was the Mammoth Steppe, which stretched across Northern Eurasia & North America.
The Woolly Mammoth co-existed with early humans, who used its bones and tusks for making art, tools and dwellings and also hunted it for food.
It disappeared from the mainland range at the end of the Pleistocene 10,000 years ago, but isolated populations existed up to 5,600 years ago in pockets.
After its extinction, humans continued to use its ivory as a raw material, a tradition which continues even today.
The Commemorative Coin:
The coins have been minted by Leipziger Edelmetalverarbeitung (LEV) GmbH at its facilities in Leipzig, Germany, on behalf of the Bank of Ghana.
One variant has been issued in Gold - 500 Cedis Gold Bullion Coin (1.0 Oz wt. Coins).
Two variants have been issued in Silver - 5 Cedi Silver Bullion Coins (1.0 Oz wt. Coins) and 1000 Cedis Silver Bullion Coins (Kilo Coins).
The Reverses of the Gold & Silver Bullion Coin variants feature a facing Woolly Mammoth against a backdrop of a ice covered mountainous landscape.
Surrounding the image of the Woolly Mammoth is a semi-circle of 8 symbolic animals of the Ice-Age which will feature in this Coin Series, depicted on the upper periphery.
The inscription reads -"GIANTS OF THE ICE AGE" (in the upper half of the coin face), while on the lower periphery is inscribed - "2019" (Year of issue) and the metal's purity "Ag 999" and weight "1.0 Oz" for the Five Cedi Coin & "1.0 KG" for the 1000 Cedi Coin and for the 500 Cedi Gold Coin metal purity "AU 999.9" weight "1.0 Oz" for the 500 Cedi Gold Coin).
The Obverses of the Gold & Silver Bullion Coin variants include the Ghanaian Coat of Arms in the centre. On the upper to centre border are a series of rays encircling the crest.
The denominations - "500 CEDIS" (1.0 Oz Gold Coin), or "5 CEDIS" (1.0 Oz Silver Coin) or "1000 CEDIS" (One Kilo Coin) and the name of the issuing country "REPUBLIC OF GHANA" is placed above the coin's denomination.
The specifications of the Gold & Silver Bullion Coin Variants are:
500 Cedis, 1 Oz. Gold Coin Variant:
Denomination: 500 Cedis; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1.0 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Minted By: Leipziger Edelmetallverabeitung GmbH (Preciuos Metals Factory known for its production of Geiger Original Series Gold & Silver Bars; Protective Capsule: Yes; Presentation: House in a box; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Year: 2019.
1000 Cedi, 1 Kilo Silver Coin Variant:
Denomination: 1,000 Cedis; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1,000 grams (or 1.0 Kilogram); Diameter/Size: 100.0 mm; Coin Quality: Bullion; Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Minted By: Leipziger Edelmetallverabeitung GmbH (Precious Metals Factory known for its production of Geiger Original Series Gold and Silver Bars); Year: 2019.
5 Cedis, 1.0 Oz Silver Coin Variant:
Denomination: 5 Cedis; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.1 grams (or 1.0 Oz); Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Bullion; Mintage: 15,000 pieces; Minted By: Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung GmbH; On Behalf Of: Bank of Ghana; Year: 2019; Encapsulated: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity: Yes.
Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius):
The Woolly Mammoth is an extinct species of mammoth that lived during the Pleistocene until its extinction in the early Holocene epoch.
It was one of the last in a line of mammoth species, beginning with Mammathus subplanifrons in the early Pilocene.
It is among the best studied of any pre-historic animal, because of the discovery of frozen carcasses in Siberia and Alaska, as well as, depiction of life in pre-historic cave paintings.
The Woolly Mammoth was roughly the same size as modern African elephants and was well adapted to the cold environment of the last Ice Age, being covered in fur, with an outer covering of long guard hair and a short undercoat. The ears and tail were short to minimise frostbite and heat loss. It had long, curved tusks and four molars.
Its behaviour was similar to that of modern elephants and it used its tusks and trunk for manipulating objects, fighting and foraging. Its diet was mainly grasses and sedges. It could reach up to the age of 60 years.
Its habitat was the Mammoth Steppe, which stretched across Northern Eurasia & North America.
The Woolly Mammoth co-existed with early humans, who used its bones and tusks for making art, tools and dwellings and also hunted it for food.
It disappeared from the mainland range at the end of the Pleistocene 10,000 years ago, but isolated populations existed up to 5,600 years ago in pockets.
After its extinction, humans continued to use its ivory as a raw material, a tradition which continues even today.
The Commemorative Coin:
The coins have been minted by Leipziger Edelmetalverarbeitung (LEV) GmbH at its facilities in Leipzig, Germany, on behalf of the Bank of Ghana.
One variant has been issued in Gold - 500 Cedis Gold Bullion Coin (1.0 Oz wt. Coins).
Two variants have been issued in Silver - 5 Cedi Silver Bullion Coins (1.0 Oz wt. Coins) and 1000 Cedis Silver Bullion Coins (Kilo Coins).
The Reverses of the Gold & Silver Bullion Coin variants feature a facing Woolly Mammoth against a backdrop of a ice covered mountainous landscape.
Surrounding the image of the Woolly Mammoth is a semi-circle of 8 symbolic animals of the Ice-Age which will feature in this Coin Series, depicted on the upper periphery.
The inscription reads -"GIANTS OF THE ICE AGE" (in the upper half of the coin face), while on the lower periphery is inscribed - "2019" (Year of issue) and the metal's purity "Ag 999" and weight "1.0 Oz" for the Five Cedi Coin & "1.0 KG" for the 1000 Cedi Coin and for the 500 Cedi Gold Coin metal purity "AU 999.9" weight "1.0 Oz" for the 500 Cedi Gold Coin).
The Obverses of the Gold & Silver Bullion Coin variants include the Ghanaian Coat of Arms in the centre. On the upper to centre border are a series of rays encircling the crest.
The denominations - "500 CEDIS" (1.0 Oz Gold Coin), or "5 CEDIS" (1.0 Oz Silver Coin) or "1000 CEDIS" (One Kilo Coin) and the name of the issuing country "REPUBLIC OF GHANA" is placed above the coin's denomination.
The specifications of the Gold & Silver Bullion Coin Variants are:
500 Cedis, 1 Oz. Gold Coin Variant:
1000 Cedi, 1 Kilo Silver Coin Variant:
Denomination: 1,000 Cedis; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1,000 grams (or 1.0 Kilogram); Diameter/Size: 100.0 mm; Coin Quality: Bullion; Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Minted By: Leipziger Edelmetallverabeitung GmbH (Precious Metals Factory known for its production of Geiger Original Series Gold and Silver Bars); Year: 2019.
5 Cedis, 1.0 Oz Silver Coin Variant:
Denomination: 5 Cedis; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.1 grams (or 1.0 Oz); Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Bullion; Mintage: 15,000 pieces; Minted By: Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung GmbH; On Behalf Of: Bank of Ghana; Year: 2019; Encapsulated: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity: Yes.
2) El Mina Castle/Fort, Cape Coast, Ghana
3) History of Coinage and Banknotes of Ghana
4) Mole National Park, Ghana
5) Funerals
6) Larabanga mosque and the Mystic Stone
7) Food, Culture and Music of Ghana
8) A visit to Ghana
9) Oware: The Ancient National Board Game of Ghana
10) Did You Know Series (36): Colours of Africa: A trip to Ghana: The ancient Adinkra Symbols of the Ashantis
11) "Woolly Mammoth", Ghana: First Gold & Silver Bullion Coins releasedin "Giants of the Ice age" Bullion Coin Series issued by the Bank of Ghana: Coins minted by Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung GmbH (Precious Metals Factory): Year of Coin issue: 2019
12) "Sabre-Toothed Tiger", Ghana: Third Silver Bullion Coin released in "Giants of the Ice Age" Bullion Coin Series issued by Bank of Ghana: Coins minted by Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung GmbH (Precious Metals Factory: Year of issue: 2020
3) History of Coinage and Banknotes of Ghana
4) Mole National Park, Ghana
5) Funerals
6) Larabanga mosque and the Mystic Stone
7) Food, Culture and Music of Ghana
8) A visit to Ghana
9) Oware: The Ancient National Board Game of Ghana
10) Did You Know Series (36): Colours of Africa: A trip to Ghana: The ancient Adinkra Symbols of the Ashantis
11) "Woolly Mammoth", Ghana: First Gold & Silver Bullion Coins releasedin "Giants of the Ice age" Bullion Coin Series issued by the Bank of Ghana: Coins minted by Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung GmbH (Precious Metals Factory): Year of Coin issue: 2019
12) "Sabre-Toothed Tiger", Ghana: Third Silver Bullion Coin released in "Giants of the Ice Age" Bullion Coin Series issued by Bank of Ghana: Coins minted by Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung GmbH (Precious Metals Factory: Year of issue: 2020
Some other interesting posts from the African Continent on this blog:
Some other interesting links to posts on this blog on Currencies of the Middle-East:
Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
ReplyDelete"The rock paintings in Bhimbethka caves, Hoshangabad District, near Bhopal have some paintings depicting these Mammoths."
Thanks, Vikram. The most recent Mammoth, we saw was in the animation movie series "Ice Age" where the mammoth goes by the name of Manny.
DeleteThanks for sharing a very informative blog. I love it and i will share this with my friends. Thanks. Buy gold bars
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