Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2017 Gods of Olympus - Zeus |
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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 two ounces of silver format - such as this coin.
This coin is part of a twelve-coin set issued as a sort of continuation of the Perth Mints Gods of Olympus series issued in 2014 (featuring Zeus, Poseidon and Hades), followed by the Goddesses of Olympus series issued in 2015 (Hera, Athena and Aphrodite); these were both issued under the authority of Tuvalu, but the continuation was issued for the Cook Islands.
The coin depicts Zeus, who was worshipped as the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus and the Pantheon of gods that lived there. He was the god of the sky and weather, law, justice, morals and fate, and the spiritual leader of both gods and men.
Zeus was one of six children and the second of three brothers - Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, born to Rhea and Cronus, the ruler of the Titans. Having overthrown their father, the three brothers divided the universe between them. Zeus took control of the heavens, Poseidon the sea, and Hades the underworld. His Roman equivalent is Jupiter.
The coin has antique finish and a rimless design (which extends to the edge without a border). |
Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage | 1,000 |
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Obverse | |
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 · 2oz 999 SILVER · 2017 · TWO DOLLARS ·.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the face value, and the precious metal content: two troy ounces of 99.9% silver. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse of the coin depicts a bearded Zeus sitting on a throne with an eagle perched on his right hand and a lightning bolt in his left hand.
On a ribbon below, the inscription ZEUS. The designer's initials JM, for Jennifer McKenna, are below left. |
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Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: antique, high relief. |
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Included in Set |
Gods of Olympus 2017 2oz Silver Antiqued 12 Coin Collection, mintage 1,000 12 coins: Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hephaestus, Hera, Hermes, Hestia, Poseidon, Zeus
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See also |
Coins in the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus series include (ordered by design / metal / size / year): - 1 oz Gold, Zeus, Tuvalu 2021 - 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Zeus, Tuvalu 2021 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Zeus, Tuvalu 2014 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Zeus, Cook Islands 2017 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Zeus, Tuvalu 2020 - 1 oz Gold, Poseidon, Tuvalu 2021 - 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Poseidon, Tuvalu 2021 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Poseidon, Tuvalu 2014 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Poseidon, Cook Islands 2017 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Poseidon, Tuvalu 2021 - 1 oz Gold, Hades, Tuvalu 2021 - 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Hades, Tuvalu 2021 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Hades, Tuvalu 2014 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Hades, Tuvalu 2021 - 1 oz Gold, Ares, Tuvalu 2023 - 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Ares, Tuvalu 2023 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Ares, Cook Islands 2017 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Ares, Tuvalu 2023 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Apollo, Cook Islands 2017 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Hephaestus, Cook Islands 2017 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Hermes, Cook Islands 2017 - 1 oz Gold, Hera, Tuvalu 2022 - 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Hera, Tuvalu 2022 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Hera, Tuvalu 2015 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Hera, Cook Islands 2017 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Hera, Tuvalu 2022 - 1 oz Gold, Athena, Tuvalu 2022 - 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Athena, Tuvalu 2022 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Athena, Cook Islands 2017 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Athena, Tuvalu 2015 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Athena, Tuvalu 2022 - 1 oz Gold, Aphrodite, Tuvalu 2022 - 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Aphrodite, Tuvalu 2022 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Aphrodite, Tuvalu 2015 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Aphrodite, Cook Islands 2017 - 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Aphrodite, Tuvalu 2022 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Demeter, Cook Islands 2017 - 1 oz Gold, Artemis, Tuvalu 2023 - 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Artemis, Tuvalu 2023 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Artemis, Cook Islands 2017 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Hestia, Cook Islands 2017 - 1 oz Silver (with Antique version), Artemis, Tuvalu 2023
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