2109) "Muonionalusta Meteorite" (Sweden) - "Dinosaur Extinction Event", Niue Island: "Impact Moments Coin - 2021": A $2 (Two Dollars) Silver Coin with a meteorite galactic rock fragment insert: Project coordinated by Germania Mint and Numizzmi: Year of Coin issue: 2021:

2109) "Muonionalusta Meteorite" (Sweden) - "Dinosaur Extinction Event", Niue Island: "Impact Moments Coin - 2021": A $2 (Two Dollars) Silver Coin with a meteorite galactic rock fragment insert: Project coordinated by Germania Mint and Numizzmi: Year of Coin issue: 2021:

The Reverse and Obverse of the $2 (Two Dollars) "Impact Moments" Meteorite Silver Coin

Germania Mint in partnership with Numizzmi has  issued a unique coin with a motif referring to the extinction of dinosaurs as a result of a meteorite hitting the earth 66 million years ago.

 Each coin contains a piece of an extremely rare fragment of galactic rock called "Muonionalusta" – a more than 4.5 billion year old meteorite discovered in 1906 in northern Sweden.

The Muonionalusta meteorite is a meteorite classified as fine octahedrite, type IVA (Of) which impacted in Northern Scandinavia, west of the border between Sweden and Finland, about one million years BCE.

The first fragment of the Muonionalusta meteorite was found in 1906 near the village of Kitkiöjärvi.

 Around forty pieces are known today, some being quite large. 

Other fragments have been found in a 25-by-15-kilometre (15.5 mi × 9.3 mi) area in the Pajala district of Norrbotten County, approximately 140 kilometres (87 mi) north of the Arctic Circle.

The meteorite was first described in 1910 by Professor A. G. Högbom, who named it after the nearby place Muonionalusta on the Muonio River. 

It was studied in 1948 by Professor Nils Göran David Malmqvist. The Muonionalusta meteorite, probably the oldest known meteorite (4.5653 ± 0.0001 billion years), marks the first occurrence of stishovite in an iron meteorite.

The Coin:

The coin has an unusual shape that on both sides symbolizes a meteorite entering the Earth’s atmosphere. 

This coin has a motif which refers to the extinction of dinosaurs as a result of a meteorite hitting the earth 66 million years ago.

The Reverse of the $2 (Two Dollars) Silver Coloured Antique Finish Coin depicts a volcanic eruption and a Triceratops in its natural habitat. The Triceratops was a dinosaur reaching up to 9.0 (Nine) meters in length, and was one of the most distinctive herbivorous dinosaurs.

The Obverse of the $2 (Two Dollars) Silver Coloured Antique Finish Coin depicts an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, at right, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, whose initials "IRB" appear below the Queen's neck. Also inscribed is her name - "ELIZABETH II". 

At left is depicted a dinosaur skeleton after the meteor impact. At top right is an actual meteorite fragment insert.

The inscription reads - "2 DOLLARS. NIUE ISLAND. 2021".

The coin is made in high relief, which helps to highlight the intricate details of the design.

Both sides of the coin are richly ennobled with Antique Finish and colors, emphasizing the catastrophic effect.

The specifications of this Silver Coin are:

Country of issue: Niue Island; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: $2 (Two Dollars); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 2.0 Oz or 62.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 50.00 mm; Coin Quality: Antique Finish with applied colour; Grade: BU; Mint: Germania Mint - in partnership with Numizzmi; Mintage: 777 pieces; Special Technique: Ultra High Relief, Meteorite fragment insert; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes.

Remarks:

- Each coin contains a piece of this extremely rare fragment of galactic rock called Muonionalusta – a more than 4.5 billion year old meteorite discovered in 1906 in northern Sweden. 

- The Coins are Serially Numbered, with a Certificate, special ennoblement and dedicated packaging, including an Acrylic Glass Display and Qureco box.

-  Package: Capsule, Certificate of Authenticity, Acrylic Glass Display, Qureco.

The Shipper

The Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

The Muonionalusta Meteorite

A Meteorite Fragment

Links:

World War  I and II and East Germany Coins and Banknotes:

1) Deutsche Demokratische Republik (Erstwhile East Germany) Coins

2) A "Hundert Mark" (Hundred Mark) Reichbanknote dated 1st November 1920 tells a tale of a time when hyperinflation was rampant in Germany after World War I

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

1) Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig: Celebrating the 275th Anniversary: A 20 Euro Uncirculated silver Coin issued by the Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany) on 08.03.2018

2) Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss: A 10 Mark German banknote issued commemorating his contributions in 1990 which was in circulation till 2001 

3) Planet Earth: The World's first "Tri-material" Coin - with an outer ring, inner core and an embossable blue polymer ring: An innovative 5 Euro Polymer coin issued by the Federal Republic of Germany in 2016

4) The Tropics Climate Zone (Climates of Earth) Coin Series: The second "tri-material Coin - with an outer ring,inner core and an embossable red polymer ring: Innovative Coin issued by the Federal Republic of Germany on 27.04.2017

5) Sub-Tropical Climate Zone: ("Climate Zones of Earth Coin Series"): The second "tri-material" Coin in the Series - with an outer ring, inner core and an embossable orange polymer ring, innovative coin issued by the Federal Republic of Germany on 26.04.2018

6) In the Air: A 10 Euro Coin: The first Coin in the 3 coin Bimetal/Polymer coin "Tri-material" Coin Series titled "Air Moves", to be issued in April 2019

7) Temperate Climate Zone: (Climates of Earth Coin Series): The third "tri-material" Coin in the Series - with an outer ring, inner core and an embossable green polymer ring: Innovative coin being issued by the Federal Republic of Germany in September 2019

8) Graf Zeppelin: A 20 Dollar Silver coin and a 5 Dollar Gold Coin issued by Cook Islands in April 2017 to commemorate the 100th Death Anniversary of Count Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August von Zeppelin (08.07.1838 - 08.03.1917)

9) A "Hundert Mark" (Hundred Mark) Reichbanknote dated 1st November 1920 tells a tale of a time when hyperinflation was rampant in Germany after World War I

10) 100th Anniversary of the Weimar Constitution: A 20 Euro Silver Coin issued by the German Federal Government: Coin Minted by the Berlin Mint: Year of issue: 2019:

11) "An Land" (On The Land): A 10 Euro Coin: The second "Tri-material" Coin in the Series titled "Air Moves" - with an outer ring, inner core and an embossable polymer ring: Innovative coin issued by the Federal Republic of Germany in 2020

12) "Frau Holle", Federal Republic of Germany: The latest issue of 20 Euro Silver Coins in the on-going Grimm Brother's Fairy Tales Coin Series" minted by the Mint of Stuttgart: Date of Coin issue: 21.01.2021

13) "Brandenburg - Sanssouci Castle," Federal Republic of Germany: "Federal States Coin Series": The Fifteenth Coin in the series issued by Five German Federal Mints: Date of Coin issue: 28.01.2020

14) "The Law", Federal Republic of Germany: "Pillars of Democracy Coin Series": A 100 Euro Gold Coin issued by five Mints in Germany - Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Hamburg: Date/Year of Coin issue: 01.10.2021 (Also the Coins Despatch Date)

World War  I and II and East Germany Coins and Banknotes:

1) Deutsche Demokratische Republik (Erstwhile East Germany) Coins

2) A "Hundert Mark" (Hundred Mark) Reichbanknote dated 1st November 1920 tells a tale of a time when hyperinflation was rampant in Germany after World War I

Posts on the Tank Museum, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India and similar posts on this Blog:

1) Did You Know Series (45): (Part I): A visit to the "Cavalry Tank Museum"(CTM) at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra India was an educational walk down memory lane of the history of various Tanks used in India and abroad over the Ages: i) The Emblem & Code of the Cavalier ii) The Visit to the CTM

2) Did You Know Series (45): (Part II): A visit to the "Cavalry Tank Museum" (CTM) at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India, was an educational walk down memory lane of the history of various Tanks used in India and abroad over the Ages: I) Tank variants; ii) A brief history of the valour of the valiant ment & Indian armour during the 1965 Indo-Pak War

3) Did You Know Series (45):( Part III) : A visit to the "Cavalry Tank Museum" (CTM) at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra India, was an educational walk down memory lane of the history of various Tanks used in India and Abroad over the Ages: i) History of the Indian Cavalry; ii) Some 20th Century Battle Tanks; iii) Amphibious Light Tanks

4) Did You Know Series (45):( Part IV):A visit to the "Cavalry Tank Museum"(CTM) at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India, was an educational walk down memory lane of the history of various Tanks unsed in India and abroad over the Ages: i) Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs); ii) Battle Tanks, including the German Tiger (WWII) and the Centurion (used in the famous Battle of Basantar (Indo-Pak War 1971)

5) Did You Know Series (45): (Part V): The Bhima-Koregaon Mamorial Pillar (Obelisk) commemorating a Battle fought on 01.01.1818 between the Peshwa Army and the British Army as a part of the Third Anglo-Maratha War

"Confrontation" Coin Series:

1) "Soviet Heavy Tank IS-2 - World War II", Niue Island: First Coin in a $10 (Ten Dollars - NZD) Silver Coin Series - titled "Confrontation", minted by Volga-Vyatka Mint, (Numisart Mint) on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021

2) "Tiger II (or Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B" - World War II"), Niue Island: Second Coin in a $10 (Ten Dollars - NZD) Silver Coin Series - titled "Confrontation", minted by Volga-Vyatka Mint, (Numisart Mint) on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021

Germania Mint issues:

1) Fafnir, the Ancestor of Dragons - Germanian Mythology, Germania (Germany): A 10 Mark Silver Coin depicts the Dragon extending on both faces of the Coin: Year of Coin issue: 2020

2) "Italia and Germania", Germania: Third Coin in the "Allegories Coin Series" minted by the Germania Mint: Year of Coin issue: 2020

3) "Muonionalusta Meteorite" (Sweden) - "Dinosaur Extinction Event", Niue Island: "Impact Moments Coin - 2021": A 42 (Two Dollars) Silver Coin with a meteorite galactic rock fragment insert: Project coordinated by Germania Mint and Numizzmi: Year of Coin issue: 2021

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

1) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: First Coin: "700 Years of Hall City in Tirol or Tyrol"

2) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Second Coin: "150 Years of Semmering Alpine Railway"

3) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Third Coin: "50 Years of Television in Austria" 

4) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Fourth Coin: "European Satellite Navigation System"

5) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Fifth Coin: "Austrian Aviators"

6) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Sixth Coin "Fascinating Light"

7) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Seventh Coin: " The International Year of Astronomy"

8) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Eighth Coin: "Renewable Energy"

9) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Ninth Coin: "Robotics"

10) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Tenth Coin: "Bionics"

11) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Eleventh Coin: "Tunnel Construction"

12) The 50 Euro Gold Coin Series: Klimt and his Women: 2012-2016  (includes Coin of the Year 2015 (COTY)

13) Sigmund Freud: The Vienna Schools of Psychotherapy A 3 Coin 50 Euro Gold Coin Series:

14) Alfred Adler: The Vienna schools of Psychotherapy: A 3 coin 50 Euro Gold Coin Series:

15) The 100th Anniversary of the General Theory of Relativity by Albert Einstein: Gold and Silver Coins issued by the Royal Mint of Belgium in denominations of 50 Euro (Gold) and 10 Euro (Silver)

16) 825 Years of the Vienna Mint (1194-2018): A Silver Bullion Coin issued by the Austrian Mint, Vienna celebrating the milestone (issue date: 12/12 - with year of issue engraved as 2019

17) a) Austria: "Chivalry- Knights Tales": The first Coin in a 5 Coin Series to be issued by the Austrian Mint, features Maximilian I (1459-1519): 500th Anniversary of the passing away of the Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria: Issue Date: 10.04.2019

17) b) Austria: "Adventures of the first Crusade - Knights Tales": The second coin in the 5-Coin Series to be issued by the Austrian Mint, features Godfrey of Buillion (1060-1100 AD), one of the leaders of the First Crusade and the coin's theme is "Spirit of Adventure" Coin issue date: 11.09.2019"

17) c) Austria: "Courage - Knight's Tales": The Third Coin in a five Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint, features the "Knights Templars": Coin issue Date: 15.04.2020

Magic of Gold 100 Euros Gold Coin Series:

18) a) "The Magic of Gold Coin Series" from the Mint of Austria: The Gold Coin Series of 100 Euro Gold Coins traces the mysterious nature of gold in ancient cultures: First Coin in the Series depicts King Nebuchadnezzar II (640 B.C. - 562 B.C.): Coin issue date: 16.10.2019

18) b) The Gold of the Pharaohs, Austria: "The Magic of Gold Coin Series" from the Mint of Austria: The Gold Coin Series of 100 Euro Gold Coins traces the mysterious nature of Gold in ancient cultures: Second Coin in the Series depicts Tutenkhamun's Mummy's face mask and his father Akhnetan: Year of Coin issue: 2020

18) c) The Gold of the Incas, Austria: "The Magic of Gold Coin Series" from the Mint of Austria: The Gold Coin Series of 100 Euro Gold Coins traces the mysterious nature of Gold in ancient Cultures: Third Coin in the series: Date/Year of Coin issue: 13.01.2021

19) "Reaching For The Skies" Austria: First Coin in the series of four Silver Coins brought out by the Mint of Austria (Osterreich Mint): Coin Issue Date: 23.01.2019

20) The Wiener Musikverein, Vienna, Austria: 150th Anniversary of the opening of the legendary Musikverein Concert Hall in 1870: Two 5 Euro Commemorative New Year 2020 dated Coins being issued by the Austrian Mint - one in Silver and the other in Copper on 04.12.2019

21) 100 Years of the Salzburg Festival, Austria (1920-2020): Austrian Post has issued a postage stamp celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamp issue: 21.01.2020

22) Hedy Lemarr, Austria:" Austrian Inventions" Stamp Series: A postage stamp brought out by Austrian Post honours the contribution to the "Frequency Hopping Spread spectrum" which aided the Allies to steer torpedoes in World War II: Stamp issue date: 221.01.2020

23) "Vocklabrucker Christus" - St. Giles Church, Vocklabruck, Austria: "Religious Art in Austria" Stamp Series: Date of Stamp issue: 06.03.2020

24) Brigette Kowanz, Austria: "Opportunity - An illuminating Message": A stamp issue in the "Contemporary Art in Austria" Series: Date of Stamp issue: 17.03.2020

25) Lipizzaner Horses - "Friends For Life," Austria: 5 Euro Coins in Copper and Silver minted by the Austrian Mint as an Easter Celebration, depict Lipizzaner horses from the iconic Spanish Riding School in Vienna: Date os Coin issue: 11.03.2020

_{^{26) "Ancient Postal Routes - Historical Postal Routes Thurn & Taxis", Austria" Stamp issue date: 06.05.2020}}

_{^{27) Airbus A380, Austria: Third Coin in the coin Series titled: "Toward The Skies": A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin minted by the Mint of Austria: Date of Coin issue: 13.05.2020}}

_{^{28) 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}}

_{^{29) Uhudler Wine, Austria: A postage stamp brought out by Oesterreichische Post AG (Austrian Post), celebrating the world-famous wine on 19.09.2020}}

_{^{30) "ORF Light of Peace from Bethlehem,"" Joint issue by "Seterreichische Post AG (Austrian Post) and "Ufficio Filetelica e Numismatico Vaticano"(Vatican City Post): Stamps issue date: 20.11.2020}}

_{^{31) The "Rainbow Serpent" (Serpent Creator - Australia), Austria: A 20 Euro Silver Coin minted by the Mint of Austria, Vienna depicting the Serpent that Aboriginal Australians consider as the "Creator of the World": Date of Coin issue: 04.01.2021}}

_{^{32) Janus, the Roman God, Austria: Osterreich Mint (Mint of Austria) has issued 5 Euro Copper Coin depicting the God who holds the key to Good Luck: Date of Coin issue:02.12.2020}}

_{^{33) "Deinonychus antirrhopus", Austria: Seventh Coin in the 12 Coin "Supersaur Coin Series": The Austrian Mint, Vienna has issued a 3 Euro Cupro-nickel Coin featuring the fierce Deinonychus: Year/Date of Coin issue: 16.06.2021}}

_{34) Modern Day "Maria Theresa Thalers", Austria: Silver Thalers (or Talers) minted by the Austrian Mint are very popular collector items even today}

35) "European Year of Rail", Austria: A Postage Stamp of 2.30 Euro issued by Austrian Post: Date of Stamp issue: 20.08.2021

36) "Spinnerin am Kreuz" ("Spinner at the Cross"), Austria: A historical Express Mail Coach: A postage stamp of 2.10 Euro issued by Osterreichische Post (Austrian Post): Date of Stamp issue: 27.08.2021

37) The Boletus (Mushroom), Austria: The second Stamp in the "Austrian Mushrooms" Stamp Series: A postage stamp of 0.85 Euro issued by Osterreichische Post (Austrian Post): Date of Stamp issue: 27.08.2021

_{^{Alpine Treasures Coin Series:}}

_{^{1) Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria: "Alpine Treasures Coin Series": A 50 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Austrian Mint featuring the Golden Eagle, the High Peaks and the Braya Alpina Flower: Date of Coin issue: 12.02.2020}}

_{^{2) Kalkalpen National Forest, Austria: "Alpine Treasures Coin Series": The Second Coin in the Coin Series features the austrian Bellflower and the Mynx: A 50Euro Gold Coin minted by the Austrian Mint, Vienna: Date of Coin issue: 17.02.2021}}

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:

1) Did You Know Series (25) : The prestigious Krause Publications Annual World Coin Competition - Winners of the COTY 2015 and other 10 Category winners

2) Krause Publications Awards Coin of the Year and other Category winners - 2016

3) Coin of the Year and winners of the  sub-categories- 2017

For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:

1) Historic Sassi (meaning "The Stones of Matera"): (I Sassi di Matera Basilicata): "Italy of the Arts Series": (Serie Italia della Arti): A 10 Euro Proof Silver Coin issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca Della Stato" (IPZS) on 19.09.2017 

2) 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vatican City State (1929-2009): A Vatican Euro Coin Set depicting Pope Benedict XVI on the Obverse, issued by Vatican City Mint in 2009

3) Amatrice: "Art Treasures of Amartice", Italy: A 5 Euro Bimetallic Commemorative Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) on 06.08.2018

4) Marco Polo, Explorer, Italy (1254-8/9.01.1324): A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca di Stato, the Italian State Mint (2018)

5) Vespa, Italy: "Italian Excellence Collector Coin Series": A 5 Euro Silver Coin in three selectively coloured variants brought out by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) on 12.04.2019

6) Israel-Vatican Joint Issue: Celebrating 25 Years of diplomatic relations between Israel & the Holy See: A Commemorative Stamp issued jointly by Israel Philatelic Service & the Holy See Numismatic Service/Vatican Post: Stamp issue date: 10.09.2019

7) Michelangelo's "Pieta", Vatican City: New Copper Coin Series titled "Art and Faithy": A 10 Euro Copper Coin minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of the "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Cotta del Vaticano": Coin issue date: 05.03.2020

8) Ancient Postal Routes, Vatican City State: EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two stamps of 1.10 Euro and 1.15 Euro issued by the Ufficio filatelico e Numismatico -Governatorato, Vaticano featuring Ancient Postal Routes emanating from the Vatican City State during the 6th & 11th Centuries AD

9) The mystery of the Gold Medal which has not been minted by the Vatican, as confirmed by the Vatican Philatelic & Numismatic Division