Silver Ounce 2021 Scarab - King Tut, Coin from Palau - detailed information

The Republic of Palau is an island country in the western Pacific, in free association with the United States. In one way or another, the country has been under US administration since it was established, and has never had its own separate currency - it has always used the US Dollar. However, Palau allows some foreign mints to issue coins under its authority; these are denominated in US Dollars but are only legal tender in Palau, so can in a way be considered to be in "Palau Dollars", even though such a currency does not officially exist.

The coins are usually dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to the country itself. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes, including the internationally popular one troy ounce of silver.

The Mint says about this coin:
With this stunning shaped coin, CIT combines the symbol of a scarab beetle with one of the most famous Pharaohs to ever live, Tutankhamun (sometimes shortened in English to King Tut). His tomb opening celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2022.

In ancient Egyptian religion, the god Ra whose eye is also depicted on the obverse together with the Ankh or Key of Life, rolls the sun across the sky each day, transforming bodies and souls. Scarab beetles roll dung into a ball. Because of this symbolically similar action, the scarab was seen as a reflection of the heavenly cycle and was representing the idea of rebirth or regeneration. In ancient Egyptian religion, the scarab was also a symbol of immortality, resurrection, transformation and protection much used in funerary art.

Over the ages, scarabs have been used to symbolise wealth, as currency, fashion accessory and also to serve as a form of artistic expression. Thanks to the enhanced smartminting technology this is a numismatic piece of art in a 1 oz silver ultra-high relief with an integrated crystal. It is decorated with two names of Tutankhamun in hieroglyph style - his own individual name and his title as a Pharaoh which was also found on his throne when it was discovered 100 years ago.