| Coin | Gold Ounce 2023 Sparta |
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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.
The mint says about the design:
The Spartans - muscle-bound, fearless warriors from ancient Greece - were renowned for their nearly invincible army and unrivaled fighting skills using long spears, swords and round shields crafted from bronze and wood have captured the imagination for centuries. The myths surrounding Sparta and its warrior society are as old as the city itself. Reputedly founded in the 9th century BC, it was co-ruled by two kings who arbitrated in times of war. Upon its victory over the rival city-state of Athens in the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BC), Sparta emerged as the most powerful state in Greece. |
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| Obverse | |
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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.
The portrait and inscriptions are in a small circle above the centre. The rest of the obverse depicts "The Return of Helen on a Quadriga" (four-horse chariot), a scene from the well-known tale by Homer. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin depicts a close-up of a Spartan warrior holding a spear and a shield, displaying the upper part of the "lambda" symbol of Sparta (for Lacedaemon - the first king of Sparta for whom the place was originally named). In the background, more soldiers and a woman in Greek dress.
Behind, the inscription SPARTA and an Ancient Greek "meander" ornamental pattern. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
SPARTA |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof, smartminting (Ultra High Relief).
CIT Item ID: 30213.
The obverse shows the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, even though the coin was issued during the reign of King Charles III. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Sparta range include:
- 1 oz Platinum, Sparta, 2023
- 0.5 g Platinum, Sparta, 2023
- 1 oz Gold, Sparta, 2023
- 0.5 g Gold, Sparta, 2023
- 3 oz Silver, Sparta, 2023
- 1 oz Silver, Sparta, 2023
- 50 g Copper, Sparta, 2023
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