| Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2020 Destruction of Leviathan |
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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 - for example, two ounces of silver (abbreviated as 2 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). Many of these features characters and themes from legends, mythology or religion, such as this one.
This coin is part of the Biblical Series by Scottsdale Mint and features the scene of the Destruction of Leviathan. The designs of the series are based on Bible illustrations in Romanticism style by the famous French artist Gustave Doré (1832 - 1883).
The coin has a Proof-Antiqued finish and comes in a Bible Gift Box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity with the number matching the serial number inscribed on the edge of the coin. The designs on both sides are "rimless" (there is no border around them, so the design can extend to the edge of the coin). |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows at its centre the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a pearl necklace, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait", by Raphael David Maklouf).
The designer's initials are usually incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation when this portrait is used, but they are not displayed here.
Around above, the monarch's legend: QUEEN ELIZABETH II. Around left, the country name and the face value: NIUE TWO DOLLARS. Around right, the precious metal content: 2 oz 999 FINE SILVER (two ounces of 99.9% silver).
Around below, the date of issue 2020. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows a depiction of God in heaven, with a sword pointed down at the Biblical monster Leviathan in the sea.
The design is based on Gustave Doré's 1865 engraving "The Destruction of Leviathan".
Around below, the inscription reads DESTRUCTION OF LEVIATHAN. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
DESTRUCTION OF LEVIATHAN |
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| Edge | Plain, inscribed | Edge Inscription | [serial number] |
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| Notes | The included certificate of authenticity lists Isaiah 27:1 (MSG) which states:
At that time God will unsheathe his sword, his merciless, massive, mighty sword.
He’ll punish the serpent Leviathan as it flees, the serpent Leviathan thrashing in flight.
He’ll kill that old dragon that lives in the sea. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Biblical Series include:
- 2 oz Silver, Adam and Eve, 2016
- 2 oz Silver, The Death of Abel, 2017
- 2 oz Silver, Destruction of Leviathan, 2020
- 2 oz Silver, Jacob Wrestles the Angel, 2017
- 2 oz Silver, The Deluge, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, Noah's Dove, 2018
- 2 oz Silver, Samson Slays the Lion, 2019
- 2 oz Silver, Samson and the Gates of Gaza, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, Death of Samson, 2021
- 2 oz Silver, Moses on the Nile, 2019
- 2 oz Silver, Exodus, 2015
- 2 oz Silver, The Firstborn Slain, 2019
- 2 oz Silver, The Ten Commandments, 2015
- 2 oz Silver, Chariot of Fire, 2018
- 2 oz Silver, David and Goliath, 2015
- 2 oz Silver, Rebuilding The Jerusalem Temple, 2021
- 2 oz Silver, Ezekiel's Vision, 2016
- 2 oz Silver, The Fiery Furnace, 2020
- 2 oz Silver, Daniel in the Lion's Den, 2016
- 2 oz Silver, Birth of Jesus, 2016
- 2 oz Silver, The Three Wise Men, 2017
- 2 oz Silver, Baptism of Jesus, 2017
- 2 oz Silver, Temptation of Jesus, 2018
- 2 oz Silver, John the Baptist, 2018
- 2 oz Silver, The Good Samaritan, 2016
- 2 oz Silver, Cast the First Stone, 2019
- 2 oz Silver, Jesus Calms the Sea, 2017
- 2 oz Silver, Jesus Walking on the Sea, 2020
- 2 oz Silver, Jesus in the Synagogue, 2020
- 2 oz Silver, Jesus Healing the Sick, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, Resurrection of Lazarus, 2020
- 2 oz Silver, Cleansing The Temple, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, Jesus Praying in the Garden, 2021
- 2 oz Silver, The Transfiguration of Jesus, 2021
- 2 oz Silver, The Last Supper, 2016
- 2 oz Silver, The Judas Kiss, 2020
- 2 oz Silver, Jesus Delivered to be Crucified, 2021
- 2 oz Silver, Crown of Thorns, 2019
- 2 oz Silver, Jesus Scourged, 2018
- 2 oz Silver, Nailing Christ to the Cross, 2017
- 2 oz Silver, The Crucifixion, 2015
- 2 oz Silver, The Dead Christ, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, The Ascension, 2018
- 2 oz Silver, Descent of the Spirit, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, Saint Paul Shipwrecked, 2021
- 2 oz Silver, The New Jerusalem, 2015
- 2 oz Silver, The Crowned Virgin, 2019
- 2 oz Silver, The Pale Horse, 2015
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