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.
The Mint says about this coin:
In Greek mythology, Helios was personified with the Sun, the omniscient source of life-giving force. A beautiful young man with a crown on his head has become a symbol of truth, goodness, wisdom, peace, and joy. This silver coin with the golden glow of his carriage will surely become a great inspiration and enlighten its owner the right path! |
| 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 2021 ·.
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 depicts Helios, the Greek God of the Sun, riding a chariot drawn by four horses. Around, stars and astronomical symbols. The chariot, and the sun rays visible behind Helios, are gold plated.
Around above, the inscription HELIOS. |
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