Niue, a sovereign state in free association with New Zealand, uses two official legal tender currencies. The New Zealand Dollar is the circulation currency for daily transactions, while the government also authorises legal tender coins in the Niue Dollar currency for collector's purposes.
A number of mints issue a large variety of commemorative, bullion and collector coins under the authority of Niue. These coins are dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to Niue itself. Many of them are made using "smartminting" techniques and have features not generally found in circulation coins - e.g. high relief, full colour printing and/or different forms, including fully three dimensional (3D).
Some coins are marketed in standard bullion sizes, like half ounce silver, one ounce silver etc, and some of those are also denominated as $1, for which see respective lists; this particular coin denominated as One Niue Dollar is not in a standard ounce-based size.
The mint says about this coin:
According to the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Dog begins on 16 February 2018 and ends on 4 February of the consecutive year. Dog, the eleventh animal of the Chinese Zodiac, is a sign of sincere and faithful individuals devoted to their family and friends. People born under the sign of the Dog value relations with other people much more than the material wealth. Being helpful, caring, intelligent and conscientious, they quickly win trust from their colleagues and surround themselves with loyal friends. |
| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the value: ELIZABETH II NIUE ISLAND · 1 DOLLAR 2018 ·.
Below the portrait on its right side, the small MW mint mark of the Mint of Poland (m over W), for Mennica Warszawska (Mint of Warsaw).
Around below right, the hallmark Ag 999 (99.9% silver; "Ag" is abbreviated from Argentum, the Latin word for silver, and is internationally used to mark silver coins and jewellery). |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design of the coin shows the relief image of a dog. Overlaid on it, the Chinese character for dog, 狗.
In the upper part of the coin, along the rim is the inscription YEAR OF THE DOG 2018.
Around below along the rim: seven golden paw prints; the number 7 stands for perfection, happiness, and harmony. |
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