Silver Ounce 2020 Mythical Creatures - Griffin, Coin from Niue - detailed information

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 popular characters from myths, legends and tales.

This coin is part of the Mythical Creatures series of premium bullion coins by the Czech Mint and features the legendary Griffin.

The earliest mention of griffins - hybrids of eagles and lions - dates back to the third millennium BC and comes from Mesopotamia. These noble beings served symbolically as guardians of the city gates. Legend says that if the griffin settles once, no one can drive it out. Therefore it has become the embodiment of tenacity, immunity, perseverance, and determination to defend its home.

Also in Christian mythology, the griffin is a guardian, however, it guards divine power instead of treasures and possessions. Its avian and mammalian features express the dual nature of Jesus Christ - divine and human - and it is also a symbol of the resurrection.

The reverse design is by Mária Filová; the obverse is by Asamat Baltaev - who also designed the reverses of some coins in the series.