| Coin | Silver Three Ounces 2018 Aztec Calendar Stone |
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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.
Collector coins are dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to the country itself. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes, including the large three ounces of silver format - such as this coin.
The Mint says about it:
The Aztec Calendar Stone debuts the Archaeology and Symbolism series.
The Aztec calendar stone is a late post-classic Mexican sculpture housed in the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, and is perhaps the most famous work of Aztec sculpture. The stone is 358 centimetres in diameter and 98 centimetres thick, and it weighs about 21 tons. Shortly after the Spanish conquest, the monolithic sculpture was buried in the Zacalo, the main square of Mexico City. It was rediscovered on December 17, 1790 during repairs on the Mexico City Cathedral. Following its rediscovery, the calendar stone was mounted on an exterior wall of the Cathedral, where it remained until 1885. Most scholars think that the stone was carved some time between 1502 and 1521, though some believe that it is several decades older than that. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows a large question mark at its centre, filled with Ancient symbols.
Below left, the Fourth Definitive Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, by Ian Rank-Broadley; the Queen is crowned, facing right. Below the portrait, the designer's initials IRB.
The background of the centre is patterned with thin concentric lines. Around below right, the name of the series ARCHEOLOGY & SYMBOLISM (sic).
The rim is raised; incuse in it, around above the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH II · COOK ISLANDS; around below, the face value 20 DOLLARS. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin depicts, in Ultra High Relief, the famous Aztec Calendat Stone.
Around above in the rim, the name AZTEC CALENDAR STONE; around below, the Aztec name of the city: TENOCHTITLAN. The date 2018 is also in the rim, divided by the central design. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
AZTEC CALENDAR STONE TENOCHTITLAN 2018 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: antique, smartminting (Ultra High Relief).
Packaging: in capsule and box, with a Certificate of Authenticity.
NumisCollect Article ID: CK1806
CIT Item ID: 28514
NumisCollect says: "Please note that by accident certificates are printed with 2019 year date. As coins are distributed already we haven’t reprinted to avoid two versions. Please note the certificates showing 2019 are original."
Mintage includes 333 coins with antique finish and 99 gold plated. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Archaeology and Symbolism series include:
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with gilded version), Aztec Calendar Stone, Cook Islands 2018
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with gilded version), Kalachakra Mandala, Mongolia 2019
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with gilded version), Samsara Wheel of Life, Cook Islands 2019
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with gilded version), Dendera Zodiac Egypt, Cook Islands 2020
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with gilded version), Vasudhara Mandala, Mongolia 2020
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with coloured and gilded versions), Aztec Coyolxauhqui Stone, Cook Islands 2021
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with part and fully gilded versions), Bactrian Cybele Disk, Cook Islands 2021
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with part and fully gilded versions), Tutankhamun’s Tomb, Cook Islands 2022
- 3 oz Silver Antique (with coloured and gilded versions), Vairochana Buddha, Mongolia 2022
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