| Coin | Silver Ounce 2012 Lilium Speciosum |
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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 in standard bullion sizes - typically, one ounce of silver (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). Many of these feature flora themes (various plants).
This coin is part of a series by B.H. Mayer dedicated to lily flowers, and depicts an Lilium Speciosum.
The Mint says about it:
"Lilium speciosum grow in the south of Japan (Shikoku, and Kyushu), North-East China and Taiwan, and is also known as “Japanese lily”. The reverse of this delightful coin is decorated with full-colour image of “Lilium Speciosum”. Lily tender pink flowers are placed against background depicting a gorgeous pagoda located on the Lotus Lake in Taiwan. In wild nature the flower grows on open sunny hills and in the mountains at altitudes from 50 to 300 meters above sea level, among grass and low shrubs, usually on clay soil. Japanese lily blooms beginning from late spring and in the summer." |
| Mint | B. H. Mayer |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage |
7,000
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| Obverse | |
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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 used to wear 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, the face value and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II · NIUE · ONE DOLLAR 2012.
(note: mint-supplied images show the designer's initials but on the actual coins minted they seem not to be displayed?) |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse is coloured, and shows Japanese lily flowers in the foreground. In the background, the pagoda on the Lotus Lake in Taiwan.
Around above, the inscription Lilium speciosum. Below right, the hallmark Ag 925, meaning 0.925 silver (Ag is abbreviated from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). |
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| Reverse Inscription |
Lilium speciosum Ag 925 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof, coloured (pad printing).
Packaging: boxed, with Certificate of Authenticity. |
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