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 have a Zodiac-inspired theme.
This coin is part of a series of oval-shaped Signs of Zodiac coins by the Czech Mint, and features Libra.
The Mint says about it:
While all other animal constellations depict living creatures, Libra is the only inanimate object. However, they are by no means a mere tool. They symbolise law and justice and are conveniently found near the constellation Virgo, which is identified with the ancient goddess of justice, Dike. People born under the sign of Libra tend to be prudent, balanced and harmonious. They always consider all possible consequences before committing to something, which often turns into excessive hesitation and indecision. Libras also tend to be very tactful, charming and sociable and display a refined aesthetic sense.
The unusual oval-shaped coin bears a coloured image of Libra on the reverse, supported by a baroque cherub. No photographs or computer graphics were used as the basis for the colouring - the author of the coin, Asamat Baltaev, DiS., created an original watercolour painting for it. |
| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin features the official Public Seal of Niue.
It has an inner circle of hiapo designs, representing the fonua (land), within which are stylised designs of a tree, representing life and tagata Niue (the people of Niue), surrounded by an outer circle in the form of a traditional Niuean garland of 14 seashells (representing the 14 villages of Niue), and crowned with St Edward's Crown (of the United Kingdom), representing the sovereign as head of state.
Around above between the two circles, the inscription PUBLIC SEAL OF NIUE. Below, a ribbon carries the motto ATUA NIUE TUKULAGI on two lines (meaning "God, Niue Eternally"), below which two crossed katoua (Niue fighting clubs).
Around above, the face value ONE DOLLAR. Around below, the date of issue 2021. The mint mark of the Czech Mint - a crowned monogram of the letters ČM (Česká mincovna), is below the date and to the left.
Surrounding all this, a ribbon displaying the symbols of the twelve signs of the zodiac, on a frosted background. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows the coloured image of coloured image of Libra (scales), supported by a baroque cherub. In the background, a disk with all twelve zodiac signs represented by their respective images.
The monogram of the designer (Asamat Baltaev) is below left, outside the disk.
In a yellow circle on the right, the symbol of the sign, ♎︎; around below right, the inscription LIBRA. |
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| Notes | Finish: proof, coloured.
Packaging: in protective capsule, black leather case and illustrated shipper, with Certificate of Authenticity in Czech, Slovak and English.
Coin name: Silver coin Sign of Zodiac - Libra proof
Collection: Sign of Zodiac
Czech Mint Product Code: 75841-718
Date of issue: September 2021
Issue price: 2,990 CZK, 117.00 EUR |
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