| Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2022 Hermes and Mercury |
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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 Hermes and Mercury.
In Greek mythology, Hermes was the "messenger of the gods". His Roman counterpart was Mercury, who was also the god of trade. |
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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 2022 ·.
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 Hermes and Mercury. They are dressed alike, wearing kilts and cloaks held by brooches, with winged helmets and sandals. Hermes is on the left and holds a scroll in his hand, while Mercury on the right holds a purse. They are both holding a large "caduceus" in the middle, which is a tall staff with a decoration on top depicting an eagle, with two snakes coiled around it.
Between the gods, an altar decorated with a coloured relief (done in green resin filling).
Around above left, the inscription HERMES; around above right, MERCURY. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
HERMES MERCURY |
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| Edge | Plain | 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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