| Coin | Gold Ounce 2020 Giants of the Ice Age - Smilodon |
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The Ghanaian Cedi has been the currency of Ghana since 1965, when it replaced the pre-decimal Ghanaian Pound.
Apart from the regular circulating coinage, the country has also authorised some foreign mints to issue commemorative and bullion coins under its jurisdiction. These are typically in standard bullion sizes, such as one ounce of gold (abbreviated as 1 oz Au, where "Au" comes from the Latin word for gold, Aurum).
The Smilodon (Sabre-toothed Tiger) is the third design in the Giants of the Ice Age coin series, which features eight large pre-historic animals; each coin in the series was issued in three different formats. The series was produced by German company Auragentum, with the coins struck by Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung (a division of Geiger Edelmetalle).
The Smilodon (Smilodon Fatalis) is best known as the Sabre-toothed Tiger, despite not being closely related to any modern species. It lived in the Americas during the Pleistocene epoch (2.5 mln - 10,000 years ago). More robustly built than any extant cat, with particularly well-developed forelimbs and exceptionally long upper canine teeth, its jaw had a bigger gape than that of modern cats, and its upper canines were slender and fragile, adapted for precision killing.
Of the three known species, Smilodon populator from South America was the largest, weighing 220 to 436 kg, and up to 1.2 m tall. In North America, Smilodon hunted large herbivores such as bison and camels, and is thought to have killed its prey by holding it still with its forelimbs and biting it. Scientists debate whether Smilodon had a social or a solitary lifestyle, but it probably lived in closed habitats such as forests and bush, which would have provided cover for ambushing prey. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows at its centre the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Ghana. It has a a shield, quartered with a large cross in the middle; in the first quarter (upper left) is a sword used by traditional chiefs, and a staff used by the linguist (known as an okyeame in Akan), at ceremonies - a symbol for the traditional authority of Ghana; in the second quarter, a representation of Osu Castle on the sea, the presidential palace on the Gulf of Guinea, as a symbol of the national government; in the third quarter is a cocoa tree, a symbol of the agricultural wealth of Ghana; the fourth quarter shows a gold mine, which stands for the richness of industrial minerals and natural resources in Ghana.
A lion in the middle of St George's Cross represents the continuing link between Ghana and the Commonwealth of Nations. The crest is a Black Star of Africa. Supporting the shield are two Tawny eagles, with the Order of the Star of Ghana suspended from their necks. The compartment upon which the supporters stand is composed of a grassy field, under which a scroll bears the national motto of Ghana: FREEDOM AND JUSTICE.
In the exergue, the name of the country: REPUBLIC OF GHANA, below which the face value: 500 CEDIS.
The rim around above is wide and is decorated with wide radial stripes. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design depicts a leaping Smilodon (Sabre-toothed Tiger), partly obscuring the rim.
Around above in the central circle, the name of the coin series: GIANTS OF THE ICE AGE.
On two lines below left, the metal content: 1 OZ AU 999.9 (one troy ounce of 99.99% gold; Au is abbreviated from Aurum, the Latin word for gold).
Around below, the date of issue 2020, followed by the unique serial number of each coin in the format [number] / 1000.
Around above, a common element of all designs in the series: eight pictograms representing each of the Giants of the Ice Age designs. The sabre-toothed tiger is the third of them and is highlighted by being incuse (cut into the surface) while the others are in relief. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
GIANTS OF THE ICE AGE 1 OZ AU 999.9 2020 [number] / 1000 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof, engraved with a unique serial number.
Packaging: in capsule and presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Giants of the Ice Age series include:
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Woolly Mammoth, 2019
- 1 kg Silver BU, Woolly Mammoth, 2019
- 1 oz Silver BU, Woolly Mammoth, 2019
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Irish Elk, 2019
- 1 kg Silver BU, Irish Elk, 2019
- 1 oz Silver BU, Irish Elk, 2019
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Smilodon (Sabre-toothed Tiger), 2020
- 1 kg Silver BU, Smilodon (Sabre-toothed Tiger), 2020
- 1 oz Silver BU, Smilodon (Sabre-toothed Tiger), 2020
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Cave Bear, 2020
- 1 kg Silver BU, Cave Bear, 2020
- 1 oz Silver BU, Cave Bear, 2020
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Woolly Rhinoceros, 2021
- 1 kg Silver BU, Woolly Rhinoceros, 2021
- 1 oz Silver BU, Woolly Rhinoceros, 2021
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Aurochs, 2021
- 1 kg Silver BU, Aurochs, 2021
- 1 oz Silver BU, Aurochs, 2021
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Reindeer, 2022
- 1 kg Silver BU, Reindeer, 2022
- 1 oz Silver BU, Reindeer, 2022
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Cave Lion, 2022
- 1 kg Silver BU, Cave Lion, 2022
- 1 oz Silver BU, Cave Lion, 2022
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