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 this coin: The "Zhong Kui" coin is the second and special edition issue in the new "Asian Mythology" series (a re-issue of the first design, but gilded). The coin has a unique antique finish and is partly colored and Gold-plated, struck on a 3 oz pure .999 silver 50mm blank in the highest quality. It has a limited mintage of just 99 pcs worldwide and comes in a beautiful box with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Zhong Kui is a fighter against demons and evil spirits in Chinese and Japanese mythology. He was a large man with a square face, saucer-like eyes, a huge mouth, and curly whiskers. Zhong Kui travelled with a friend from his hometown Du Ping to the capital to take the state exams. He achieved outstanding academic success by receiving the highest distinction in the major exams. Still, his rightful title of “Zhuangyuan” (meaning top scorer in Chinese) was taken away by the emperor for his disfigured and ugly appearance. Zhong Kui committed suicide in anger and rage by throwing himself against the palace gates until he broke his head.
During the divine judgement after his death, Yama (the Chinese King of Hell) saw great potential in Zhong Kui. He was intelligent and smart enough to score top honours in the imperial exams but was sentenced to hell for the grave sin of suicide. Yama then gave him a title as the king of spirits and instructed him to hunt, imprison, take charge, and maintain discipline and order among all souls. After Zhong Kui became the king of the ghosts in hell, he returned to his hometown on Chinese New Year’s Eve. To thank Du Ping for his kindness, Zhong Kui married his younger sister to Du Ping. |