Coin | Silver Ounce 2015 Czech Traditions - Ride of the Kings |
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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 characters and themes from popular culture.
This coin was issued as part of a six-coin silver proof set by the Czech Mint, featuring Czech traditions recognised by the UNESCO Heritage List.
The Mint says about the coin: The UNESCO organisation protects not only cities, national parks and other places of interest that have tangible form. There is also a list that contains the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. And the Czechs certainly have something to say about that! Our colourful history has created a series of unique cultural idiosyncrasies, and we have expanded the list by six exceptional traditions.
This coin is dedicated to the Ride of the Kings - an annual procession associated with the Christian feast of Pentecost in four small towns in south-eastern Czech Republic. An entourage of chanters, pageboys, the King and his royal cavalcade parade through town dressed in traditional costumes and riding decorated horses, stopping along the way to chant rhymes that comment humorously on the character and conduct of spectators who in turn give monetary gifts for a good performance. The specific practices and responsibilities of the event are transmitted from generation to generation. |
Mint | Czech Mint |
Mint Mark | Monogram ČM |
Total Mintage |
4,000
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Obverse | |
In the upper left part of the obverse, 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. There are no designer's initials below the effigy.
The portrait is surrounded by a small beaded circle, below which is the date 2015 and the Queen's legend, ELIZABETH II.. The centre is surrounded by a large beaded circle, decorated on the right with a floral wreath. Below, the mint mark of the Czech Mint - a crowned monogram of the letters ČM (Česká mincovna).
Around above right in the outer rim, NIUE ISLAND · 1 DOLLAR. Around below, INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE - CZECH REPUBLIC. |
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Reverse | |
At the centre of the reverse, the coin shows two figures on horseback and in traditional costumes, taking part in the procession of the festival. The figure on the right represents the "King" - a young boy of 10 to 15 years old, whose face is partially covered, holding a rose in his mouth.
Around above left, the inscription JÍZDA KRÁLŮ (Ride of the Kings). |
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Reverse Inscription |
JÍZDA KRÁLŮ |
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Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | 2,000 individually issued coins, plus 2,000 in sets. |
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Included in Set |
Czech Traditions on the UNESCO List, Silver, mintage 2,000 6 coins: 1 oz Silver, Falconry, 1 oz Silver, Slovácko Verbuňk, 1 oz Silver, Masopust, 1 oz Silver, Ride of the Kings, 1 oz Silver, Parading the Judas, 1 oz Silver, Kladruby Horse Breeding
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