| Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2021 Ares and Mars |
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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 a series depicting Ancient gods and goddesses, and is dedicated to Ares and Mars.
In ancient Greek mythology Ares, known for his notorious love affairs and numerous children, was seen as the epitome of violence, destruction and cruelty; he was the God of War. His Roman counterpart was Mars - the father of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers who founded Rome. |
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| 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 · 5 DOLLARS 2021 ·.
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). The MW mint mark of the Mint of Poland (m over W), for Mennica Warszawska (Mint of Warsaw), is below the Queen's portrait and to the right. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design depicts the Ancient gods Ares and Mars. They are dressed alike, wearing kilts, armour and crested helmets. On the left, Ares holds a Greek-style shield decorated with a lion's head (done in yellow resin), and a spear. On the right, Mars has a Roman-style shield and sword.
Around above left, the inscription ARES; around above right, MARS. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ARES MARS |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: antique, resin filling.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. |
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| See also |
Silver two-ounce coins issued for Niue and depicting Ancient gods and goddesses:
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Gods - Zeus, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Ares and Mars, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Tyche and Fortuna, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Hera and Juno, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Hermes and Mercury, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Goddess of Justice - Themis, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, God of the Sea - Triton, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Goddess of Love - Freyja, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Cernunnos, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Isis, 2022
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