| Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2023 Fierce Nature - Leopard |
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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).
This coin is part of the Fierce Nature series of specially shaped coins, and features the Leopard.
The Leopard (Panthera pardus) is a loner common in Africa and Asia, and belongs to the most graceful and powerful big cats on earth along with lion, tiger and jaguar. It is an excellent climber and, unlike most other big cats, can also climb down head first. Its excellent climbing ability also benefits the leopard in securing its prey - it often drags hunted animals up into trees several meters high, where lions and hyenas can no longer reach them |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin features the official Public Seal of Niue.
It has an inner circle of hiapo designs, representing the fonua (land), within which are stylised designs of a tree, representing life and tagata Niue (the people of Niue), surrounded by an outer circle in the form of a traditional Niuean garland of 14 seashells (representing the 14 villages of Niue), and crowned with St Edward's Crown (of the United Kingdom), representing the sovereign as head of state.
Around above between the two circles, the inscription PUBLIC SEAL OF NIUE. Below, a ribbon carries the motto ATUA NIUE TUKULAGI on two lines (meaning "God, Niue Eternally"), below which two crossed katoua (Niue fighting clubs).
Around above, the face value: FIVE DOLLARS. Around below, the date of issue 2023.
In smaller letters around above, the precious metal content 2 oz 999 Fine Silver (two troy ounces of 99.9% silver). |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse depicts a detailed image of the head of a roaring leopard, in high relief.
There is no inscription. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
(none) |
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| Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Silver Content (Troy oz): 2.000
Finish: antiqued, high relief.
Packaging: in acrylic block and themed box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Fierce Nature series include:
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Fierce Nature - Lion, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Fierce Nature - Tiger, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Fierce Nature - Grizzly Bear, 2023
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Fierce Nature - Leopard, 2023
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Fierce Nature - Wolf, 2023
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