Silver Ounce 2016 Christ Pantocrator Mosaic, Coin from Cook Islands - detailed information

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 5 DOLLARS COOK ISLANDS 2016.

The reverse of the coin shows, above, the coloured mosaic from the ceiling of the Monreale Cathedral in Palermo, Italy.

At centre, in old-style script, the inscription CHRIST PANTOCRATOR.

Below, an image of the exterior of the church; to the left of it, MONREALE PALERMO; to the right, VIIth CENTURY.

Around below, on a background resembling mosaic stones, the name of the series: WONDERFUL MOSAICS.

Finish: proof, coloured, concave.
Packing: in capsule, boxed, with Certificate of Authenticity.
NumisCollect Item ID: CK1602
CIT Item ID: 27506

The most common translation of Pantocrator is "Almighty" or "All-powerful". In this understanding, Pantokrator is a compound word formed from the Greek words πᾶν, pan (gen. pantos), i.e. "all" and κράτος, kratos, i.e. "strength", "might", "power". This is often understood in terms of potential power; i.e., ability to do anything, omnipotence. Another, more literal translation is "Ruler of All" or, less literally, "Sustainer of the World". In this understanding, Pantokrator is a compound word formed from the Greek for "all" and the verb meaning "To accomplish something" or "to sustain something" (κρατεω). This translation speaks more to God's actual power; i.e., God does everything (as opposed to God can do everything).