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.
The Mint says about this coin: No virtual reality can imitate the actual thrill to ride a real roller coaster, especially a looping one. This adventure and test of courage is perfectly captured on this coin called “Loop the Loop”, named after a dual-tracked steel roller coaster that operated on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, from 1901 to 1910. The coaster was one of the first looping roller coasters in North America. It is the predecessor to all modern looping coasters, all of which use elliptical designs. It was considered revolutionary at the time since it reduced whiplash. Despite the safer shape, people still freaked out by Loop the Loop because it was still pretty primitive. These were the days before the under-track safety mechanisms had been invented to prevent the passenger cars from flying off the tracks. The passenger cars on Loop the Loop had actual tires and the only thing holding them on the track was a small side railing. At least the riders received a very nice souvenir ticket to remember the ride!
CIT’s enhanced smartminting© technology with ultra high relief on both sides enables to picture the looping in a very realistic way. Obverse and reverse show the same scenery just from another view.
Fun fact: Did you know that in order to fulfil the looping the car must start at a point higher than at least 2.5 x the radius of the ellipse? Can you imagine testing that required specification? |