Coin | Gold Ounce 2023 Numismatic Icons - Athena’s Owl |
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The Cook Islands, a sovereign state in free association with New Zealand, uses two official legal tender currencies. The New Zealand Dollar circulates in parallel with the local Cook Islands Dollar; at the same time, the government also authorises many legal tender coins in the Cook Islands Dollar currency for collector's purposes. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes, including one ounce of gold - such as this coin.
This coin is part of the Numismatic Icons series by CIT Coin Invest.
The mint says about it: Having successfully launched its silver edition in 2021, we now proudly present the antique finish gold version of Athena’s Owl. The Athenian Owl, named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, is arguably the most popular and recognized ancient coin. The owl evolved into the Athenians’ own icon and graced a large variety of coins, such as the tetradrachm, from as early as the 5th century BC. |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the value: ELIZABETH II 250 DOLLARS COOK ISLANDS 2023.
Behind the portrait, on two lines in small letters the precious metal content: 1 oz Au .9999 (one troy ounce of 99.99% gold). |
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Reverse | |
The obverse of the coin shows the Owl of Athena, under an olive branch.
Vertically on the right, the letters CI (for Coin Invest). |
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Edge | Rough | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: antique, smartminting, Ultra High Relief (UHR), slightly irregular shape. Packaging: in presentation box, with a Certificate of Authenticity. CIT Item ID: 30309.
The coin has the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, even though it was issued during the reign of King Charles III. |
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See also |
Coins in the Numismatic Icons series include (ordered by design / metal / size / year): - 1 oz Gold Antique, Tortoise 2023 - 0.5 g Gold Proof, Tortoise 2022 - 1 oz Silver Antique, Tortoise 2020 - 1 oz Gold Antique, Athena’s Owl 2023 - 0.5 g Gold Proof, Athena’s Owl 2022 - 1 oz Silver Antique, Athena’s Owl 2021 - 1 oz Gold Antique, Pegasos 2022 - 0.5 g Gold Proof, Pegasos 2022 - 1 oz Silver Antique, Pegasos 2022 - 1 oz Gold Antique, Arethusa 2023 - 0.5 g Gold Proof, Arethusa 2023 - 1 oz Silver Antique, Arethusa 2023 - 1 oz Gold Antique, Gryphon 2024 - 0.5 g Gold Proof, Gryphon 2024 - 1 oz Silver Antique, Gryphon 2024
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