2942) "Buckbeak the Hippogriff - Harry Potter Series", Republic of Niue: "Mythical Creatures Coin Series": A $2 (Two Dollars) Silver Proof Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf Niue Island in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023:
About the Hippogriff:
The Hippogriff or hippogryph is a legendary creature with the front half of an eagle and the hind half of a horse.
The word hippogriff is derived from the Ancient Greek - "híppos", meaning "horse", and the Italian "grifo" meaning "griffin" (from Latin "gryp" or "gryphus"), which denotes another mythical creature, with the head of an eagle and body of a lion, that is purported to be the father of the hippogriff.
It was fantasised at the beginning of the 16th century by Ludovico Ariosto in his poem - "Orlando Furioso". The word hippogriff was adopted into English shortly before 1615.
The poem describes the Hippogriff as a steed born of a mare and a griffin - something considered to be impossible.
The Hippogriff is extremely fast and presented as being able to fly around the world and to the Moon.
It is ridden by magicians and the wandering knight Ruggiero, who, from the creature's back, frees the beautiful Angelica. Astolfo also borrows the hippogriff from Bradamante to go search for Roland's wits.
Sometimes depicted on coats of arms, the hippogriff became a subject of visual art in the 19th century, when it was often drawn by Gustave Doré.
Beliefs and symbolism:
Was the reference to a Hippogriff based on realtime experiences?
According to Vidal, a Spanish historian, this creature was supposed to live near Céret, in the County of Roussillon of modern-day France, during the Middle Ages. Claw marks were found on a rock near Mas Carol.
The belief in the existence of the hippogriff, such as Ariosto describes, is fiercely attacked in a scientific essay on religion in 1862, which argues that such an animal can neither be a divine creation, nor truly exist.
The Book of Enoch quite clearly details how Satan and his fallen angels created various hybrids by admixture.
The Sphinx is the best known such hybrid.
The hippogriff is supposed to be a mixture of several animals and the author notes that in order to support its weight, the wings would be so heavy that flight would be impossible, which proves—without question—that it does not exist.
In some traditions, the hippogriff is said to be the symbol of love, as its parents, the mare and griffin, are natural enemies.
In other traditions, the hippogriff represents Christ's dual nature as both human and divine.
The Commemorative Coin:
The Hippogriffs of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter Stories are more varied. This is the second coin released in the Harry Potter Coin Series.
All Hippogriffs have different coloured coats, including stormy grey, chestnut brown and a pinkish roan. Buckbeak, the Hippogriff that allows Harry to fly on his back and injures Malfoy, also has large, piercing orange eyes and a great, sharp head.
The Reverse of the $2 (Two Dollars) Silver rectangular shaped Proof Coin shows a frosted image of Buckbeak against a purple-coloured background, symbolising the creature’s noble and proud nature.
Bordering the design is a beautifully engraved arch that continues on the Obverse. As a further charm, three purple cubic zirconia stones have been added.
The Obverse of the $2 (Two Dollars) Silver rectangular shaped Proof Coin shows the Public Seal of Niue Island in the centre. The inscriptions are - "TWO DOLLARS. 2023. 1 Oz 999 Fine Silver. WIZARDING WORLD & WBEL (s23)".
The specifications of the $2 Silver Coin are:
Country of issue: Niue Island; Date/Year: 2023; Coin Theme: "HARRY POTTER™ Collectibles - Magical Creatures – Buckbeak"; Denomination/Face Value: $2.00 (Two Dollars); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.16 grams or 1.00 Oz; Coin Quality: Proof & Coloured (P & C); Minted By: The New Zealand Mint (NZM) on behalf of Niue Island in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products; Mintage: 2,000 pieces.
- This Coin has been created in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.
- The Silver Rectangular shaped coin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and unique serial number. Printed on the back is the coin’s unique serial number in the limited mintage of 2,000.
- The outer box is made with quality materials and is HARRY POTTER™-themed, making it easy to display the coin.
An image of Buckbeak - the Hippogriff
Links to interesting posts from the South Pacific Island of Fiji:
Harry Potter Coin Series:
The Tarot Card Collection:
11) "Wheel of Fortune", Tarot Cards, Niue Island: The Eleventh $2 (Two Dollars) Coin Card released by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
12) "Justice", Tarot Cards, Niue Island: The Twelfth $2 (Two Dollars) Coin Card releasedby the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
Posts on Disney Occasions - Disney100:
i) Mickey Mouse and Friends, Niue Island: "Disney 100 Years of Wonder Coin Series (1923-2023)": A 1 oz Silver Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
ii) Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, Niue Island: "Disney 100 Years of Wonder Coin Series (1923-2023)": A 1/4 oz Gold Coin minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2023
Post of "Avatar - The Way of Water":
i) "Avatar - The Way of Water", New Zealand: New Zealand Post has issued a set of postage stamps, which feature characters from the movie, which was also filmed in New Zealand: Date of Stamps issue: 01.03.2023
Posts on "The Lord Of The Rings" on this blog:
Wildlife in the Australian Antarctic Territory Coin Series:
Australian Dolphins Coin Series:
Australia's Coat of Arms Coin Series:
The Tarot Card Collection:
Links:
Other links to some interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries including the Australian Continent:
Steampunk Coin Series:
Links to other posts on Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
Classic Australian Children's Books Coin Series:
1) "Animalia", A Book by Graeme Base, Australia: "Classic Australian Children's Books Coin Series": "35th Anniversary of Animalia (1986-2021);" The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) has issued a coloured 20c (Cent) Coin featuring the cover of this popular book: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) "Diary of a Wombat", Australia: "Classic Australian Children's Books Coin Series": 20th Anniversary of Diary of a Wombat (2002-2022)": The Royal Australian Mint (RAM) has issued the second 20c (Cent) Coin in the Series featuring this popular book: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022
Links:
Links to Legendary Lands Coin Series:
Links to Code of the Future Coin Series:
Discovery of America Coin Series:
Links:
Fury of Nature Coin Series:
Amazing Animals Coin Series:
Links to posts on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Coin Series:
Links to posts on "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection on this Blog:
i) The Mandalorian, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Gold and Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off; ii) "Grogu" ("Baby Yoda"): Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) "Cara Dune", Niue Island: Second Coin in "The Mandalrian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting character from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
3) "ASSASSIN DROID IG-11", Niue Island: Third Coin in "THe Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-Off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
4) "GROGU" or "The CHILD" -("BABY YODA"), Niue Island: Fourth Coin in "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
5) "Grogu in his mobile Cradle/Pram" or "THE CHILD" - ("Baby Yoda"), Niue Island: Fifth Coin in "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2022
6) Ahsoka Tano, Niue Island: The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection: New zealand Mint has issued Gold and silver Coins depicting the popular "STAR WARS" spin -off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
7) "BESKAR STEEL", Niue Island: "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Rectangular Coin depicting the highly impenetrable protection material in the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
8) "Bo-Katan Kyrze", The Legendary Mandalorian Warrior, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued $250 (Two Hundred Fifty Dollars - NZD) Gold, $25 Gold (Twenty Five Dollarrs - NZD) and $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
Links to "Star Wars: A New Hope™":
7) The Sand Crawler ("The Mandalorian" & "Star Wars: A New Hope"), Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued $25 (Twenty Five Dollars - NZD) Gold and $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
Links to posts on Boba Fett:
1) Boba Fett, New Zealand: An elegant Silver Miniature minted by the New Zealand Mint, features the popular Star Wars Bounty Hunter in full armour with his blaster at the ready: Date of issue: 10.12.2021
2) Boba Fett "Slave I" Starfighter, Niue Island: A One Oz Silver Coin depicts Fett's legendary spacecraft: Date of Coin issue: 10.12.2021 (with year of issue inscribed as 2022)
Other Links:
1) The "Empire's Death Star" (Star Wars), Niue Island: A Kilogram Dimensional Silver Coin of $ 100 NZD (Niue) minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island:Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) "Star Trek", Starfield Command, United Federation of Planets, Tuvalu: $2 "Holey Dollar" united with a $1 "Delta" Coin-set
3) "Dune" (a Science Fiction Novel) by Frank Herbert, APMEX, USA: A set of Silver and Gold Coins/Rounds issued by APMEX celebrating the most iconic themes from the 2021 movie, based on the Novel being released in October 2021: Date/Year of Coins issued: 2021
Links to The Bad Batch Coin Series:
1) HUNTER - The Leader of the "BAD BATCH - STAR WARS, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Silver $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Coins on behalf of Niue Island, depicting the "Clone Force 99" Group Leader: Year of Coin issue: 2022
2) WRECKER - The Demolition Expert of the "BAD BATCH" - STAR WARS, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Silver $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Coins on behalf of Niue Island, depicting the "Clone Force 99": Year od Coin issue: 2022
Links to interesting posts from the South Pacific Island of Fiji:
The Assassins Coin Series, Niue Island:
The Universe Coin Collection:
Links:
Links to Signs of the Zodiac Coin Series issued by the Czech Mint posts:
Femme Fatale Coin Series:
Women Warriors Coin Series:
For other interesting posts on Coins issued by the Slovakia National Bank, please visit the following links:
For other interesting posts on Coins issued by the Czech National Bank, please visit the following links:
Cycle of Armoured Vehicles Coin Series:
Links to posts on "Dog Breeds":
Links to posts from the Volga-Vyatka Mint (Numisart Mint) - Coin Series titled - "Confrontation":
Links to interesting posts from the South Pacific Island of Fiji:
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
The Earth and Beyond Coin Series:
Matariki: The Maori New Year:
Australian Wildflower Coin Series:
Steam Power - Australian Rail Heritage Coin Series:
Dreaming Down Under Coin Series:
Australian Coat of Arms Gold & Silver Bullion Coin Series:
"Australian Shipwrecks" Coin Series:
Beneath The Southern Skies Gold & Silver Bullion Coin Series:
Star Dreaming Coin Series:
Links to interesting Posts on coins from Tuvalu Islands:
Link to Posts from Tokelau:
Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands minted by Coin Invest Trust:
Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:
Links to other Coins issued in the Cyborg Revolution Coin Series by Republic of Palau:
Links to Posts on coin issues from Niue Islands:
Links to posts on "Dog Breeds":
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Coin Series:
The Tarot Card Collection:
The Witcher Coin Series, Niue Islands:
