Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2022 Hera and Juno |
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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 Hera and Juno.
In Greek mythology, Hera was the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and was queen of the Olympians gods, as well as sister and wife of the main god - Zeus. Her Roman counterpart was Juno. |
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Obverse | |
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: 5 Dollars Elisabeth II Niue 2022.
Around below left, the hallmark Ag 999 (99.9% silver), followed by the small MW mint mark of the Mint of Poland (m over W), for Mennica Warszawska (Mint of Warsaw).
The portraits is surrounded by a wide decorated rim. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse design depicts the Ancient goddesses Hera and Juno. On the left, Hera holds a sceptre and is accompanied by a peacock. On the right, Juno holds a shield decorated with a bull's head, and is accompanied by a dove. Behind them, peacock feathers.
Parts of the design are highlighted in gold.
Around above left, the inscription Hera; around above right, Juno. |
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Reverse Inscription |
Hera Juno |
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Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: antique, selective gold plating. 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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