| Coin | Silver Ounce 2010 Battle of Salamis |
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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 silver - such as this coin.
This coin is the first issue in a Perth Mint series of coloured silver ounces commemorating Famous Naval Battles and features the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC.
The Battle of Salamis (old Greek: Ναυμαχία τῆς Σαλαμῖνος) was a naval battle fought between an alliance of Greek city-states under Themistocles, and the Persian Empire under King Xerxes in 480 BC. It resulted in a decisive victory for the outnumbered Greeks. The battle was fought in the straits between the mainland and Salamis, an island in the Saronic Gulf near Athens, and marked the high point of the second Persian invasion of Greece. |
| Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage | 5,000 |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.
Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II COOK ISLANDS 2010 · 1 DOLLAR ·.
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| Reverse | |
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The coin’s reverse portrays a trireme - a fast and agile warship used by ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean in Antiquity; behind it, the raised silhouette of a trireme's prow. In the background above left, which is coloured, part of the painting "The Battle of Salamis" by Wilhelm von Kaulbach (1805 - 1874).
The Perth Mint's mint mark P is on the right. On the waves to the right of the trireme, in small letters the designer's initials DB, for Darryl Bellotti.
Around below, the inscription BATTLE OF SALAMIS 480BC. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
BATTLE OF SALAMIS 480BC |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof, coloured
Packaging: in a presentation display case and illustrated shipper, accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Perth Mint Item ID: 10P23AAA
Issue price: AU$ 107.00, US$ 76.55 |
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