| Coin | Platinum Ounce 2022 Real Heroes - Special Forces |
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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 platinum - such as this coin.
The Special Forces design is the third in the Real Heroes coin series by CIT Coin Invest.
The Mint says about it:
On this incredible coin, we honour those that serve in the military special forces units. These heroes are the best of the best and are routinely called upon to carry out the most difficult and dangerous missions. Many of their missions are done in secrecy and great care is taken to protect these heroes and their identity. Which is exactly the feeling you get when you look at this coin.
The ultra-high relief of the designs extends all the way to the edges and sets against a background of a honeycomb pattern and the Real Heroes logo. Just beside on the rim you can find the traditional motto of the special forces "de oppresso liber" in micro minting. The 1 oz Gold and Platinum show the same high relief design as the original silver, with sophisticated colouring to create a stunningly realistic impression.
The obverse shows special forces being dropped in under the cover of night with the primal understanding that "Only the Brave are free". |
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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 2022.
The effigy and legend are in a small circle in the lower part of the design. The upper part shows a helicopter from which two special forces soldiers are rappelling down; in the background, two more helicopters. In the foreground, the silhouettes of two more soldiers.
Below, the inscription ONLY THE BRAVE ARE FREE. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design is coloured and shows a special forces soldier wearing a helmet and goggles, the lower part of his face masked.
The background has a honeycomb pattern; in one of the hexagons on the left, the REAL HERO logo of the series.
In the rim around left, in tiny letters DE OPRESSO LIBER, the motto of the United States Army Special Forces; it translates roughly as "from (being) an oppressed man, (to being) a free one". |
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| Reverse Inscription |
DE OPRESSO LIBER |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof, coloured, smartminting (Ultra High Relief).
Packaging: in presentation box, with a Certificate of Authenticity.
CIT Item ID: 29967
It seems that the coin was produced (organised) by CIT but struck by B.H. Mayer whose name is also on the certificate. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Real Heroes series include:
- 1 oz Platinum, Special Forces, 2022
- 5 oz Gold (Black Proof), Special Forces, 2022
- 1 oz Gold, Special Forces, 2022
- 1 kg Silver, Special Forces, 2022
- 3 oz Silver, Special Forces, 2022
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