| Coin | Silver Ounce 2021 Giants of the Ice Age - Aurochs |
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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 silver (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum).
The Aurochs is the sixth 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).
During the Pliocene the colder climate caused an extension of open grassland, which led to the evolution of large grazers such as wild bovines. The oldest aurochs (Bos primigenius) remains have been dated to about 2 million years ago, in India. The Indian subspecies was the first to appear. During the Pleistocene the species migrated west into the Middle East as well as to the east. They reached Europe about 270,000 years ago.
The proportions and body shape of the aurochs were strikingly different from many modern cattle breeds. For example, the legs were considerably longer and more slender, resulting in a shoulder height that nearly equalled the trunk length. The skull, carrying the large horns, was substantially larger and more elongated than in most cattle breeds. As in other wild bovines, the body shape of the aurochs was athletic, and especially in bulls, showed a strongly expressed neck and shoulder musculature.
The aurochs were one of the largest herbivores in post-glacial Europe, comparable to the European bison. During the Holocene, aurochs from Denmark and Germany had an average height at the shoulders of 155 - 180 cm in bulls. Aurochs from the Late Middle Pleistocene are estimated to have weighed up to 1,500 kg. Aurochs horns could reach 80 cm in length and between 10 and 20 cm in diameter. |
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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: 5 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 an aurochs facing the viewer, partly obscuring the rim below right.
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 AG 999 (one troy ounce of 99.9% silver; Ag is abbreviated from Argentum, the Latin word for silver).
Around below, the date of issue 2021.
Around above, a common element of all designs in the series: eight pictograms representing each of the Giants of the Ice Age designs. The aurochs is the sixth 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 AG 999 2021 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
Packaging: in capsule. |
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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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