3763) UNESCO - Notre-Dame de Paris - Rome Coliseum - Shuri Castle: Part iii) SHURI CASTLE, GUSUKU SITES AND ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES IN THE RYUKYU KINGDOM: 50€ (Euro) Gold and 10€ (Euro) Silver coin minted by Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint): Date/Year of shipping: 18.02.2025:
Description:
Since 1945, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has been listing sites as "World Heritage":
The aim of this programme is to classify, name and conserve cultural or natural properties of importance to the common heritage of humanity.
The programme was founded by the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted at the UNESCO General Conference on 16th November 1972.
In 2019, 1,073 properties in 167 countries were listed.
In 2025, the Monnaie de Paris has dedicated its UNESCO series to three historic monuments: Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome and Shuri Castle:
These buildings, erected at different times, share a common destiny of grandeur, destruction and rebirth.
In engraving these three monuments, have sought to capture not only their architectural grandeur, but also the soul of their history.
Every detail on these pieces reflects a moment of reconstruction, a gesture of rebirth.
It is a reminder that, no matter what the trials, the heritage one builds can always rise from the ashes.
SHURI CASTLE, GUSUKU SITES AND ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES IN THE RYUKYU KINGDOM:
Located in Japan's Okinawa prefecture, Shuri Castle was built at the end of the 14th century.
The monument was originally a gusuku, a medieval Japanese fortress, but it later served as the royal residence of the Ryukyu kingdom (15th-19th centuries), then as a government and religious centre. It is also associated with the birth of Shuri-te, a martial art similar to karate.
According to historical records, the castle has fallen victim to fire on several occasions, in 1453, 1660, 1709 and most recently in October 2019. During the last fire, a large part of the complex was destroyed, and restoration work began in 2022.
The Coins:
On the Reverse of the 50€ (Euro) Gold & 10€ (Ten Euro) Silver Coin, in the foreground, the woman in traditional dress is wearing a richly decorated kimono, typical of the traditional court clothing of the Kingdom of Ryūkyū. This outfit is reminiscent of the clothes worn by the nobles or members of the royal family of the kingdom, of which Shuri was the political and cultural centre.
The specific headdress was used for important ceremonies, such as royal weddings or state events. In the background, a detailed view of the left-hand side of Shuri Castle and a schematic view of the right-hand side to illustrate its construction/reconstruction.
The Obverse is common to all the coins in the 2025 UNESCO series.
It depicts the globe with parallels and meridians on the left-hand side and inscriptions of major UNESCO World Heritage sites on the right-hand side.
The inscriptions are engraved in stone, echoing the Rosetta Stone. The left-hand side of the globe is surrounded by the UNESCO logo and the words "World Heritage".
The face value is inscribed on the left-hand side of the globe, blending in perfectly with the parallels and meridians.
The Presentation Box and Shipper
The Specifications of the Silver Coin are:
Metal: SILVER 999‰
Weight: 22.2 g
Coin Qualité: Proof
Mintage: 5000 pieces
Year of Coin issue: 2025
Denomination/Face Value: 10€ (Euro)
Shipped from: 18 February 2025
The Specifications of the 50€ Gold Coin:
Diameter: 22 mm
Metal Composition: GOLD 999‰
Weight: 7.78 g
Coin Qualité: Proof (P)
Mintage: 1000 pieces
Year of Coin issue: 2025
Links:
1) For more on the Olympics and Paralympics held in the past, including the origins and history of the Olympics and Commemorative coins issued both on London Olympics and Paralympics please read my post on the London Olympics 2012 link as follows: History of the ancient & modern Olympics and Paralympics & commemorative coins issued during the London Olympics and Paralympics
4) For Rio 2016, please click on the following link to get interesting insights into the mascots of the Rio Olympics Vinicius and Tom, the Games and the Commemorative Coins and stamps issue programme: 1)The 31st Summer Olympics "Rio 2016"2) Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016
5) For Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity, please click on the following link: Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity
6) For a set of Post cards titled "Olympic Events" : please click on the following link: "Olympic Events": A set of 12 Post Cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016
7) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "Spirit of Olympics, Athens, Atlanta" please visit the following link: Spirit of the Olympic Games, Athens-Atlanta: Celebrating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games
8) For a presentation set of four stamps titled "XXVIII Olympic Games" (2004 Summer Olympics Athens, Greece, please visit the following link: XVIII Summer Olympic Games, Athens Greece (2004)
9) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "XXIX Olympic Games" (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China, please visit the following link: XXIX Olympic Games Beijing, China: 08.08.08- 24.08.08: A Presentation set of four stamps issued by India Post on 08.08.08
Links to the Mutiny on the Bounty Coins/Stamps:
Links to other posts in Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
No comments:
Post a Comment