Silver Two Ounces 2011 Tiffany Art - Manueline, 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 large two troy ounces (2oz) of silver format.

This coin is part of the Tiffany Art series by CIT Coin Invest, and is dedicated to the Manueline art style.

The mint says about it:
Manueline is the term used for a special Portuguese style of architectural ornamentation in the late Gothic age. The name refers to Dom Manuel I., one of Portugal’s most significant kings. During his regency from 1495 - 1521 the small country on the Atlantic coast was at its peak of economical and political power. A meaningful indication therefore was when Vasco da Gama opened the sea route to India in 1498.

During this heyday these magnificent Manueline buildings were erected. They are based on shapes from the late Gothic era, enriched with motives from Spain, Flanders and the Italian Renaissance. As a special characteristic Manueline shows a plenitude of fanciful decorating elements which originate from the seafaring milieu: waves, anchor chains, mooring ropes with knots, mussel beds and pearls. Also the armillary sphere, an astronomic device for the determination of celestial coordinates, is almost never missing. Until today it is still on the Portuguese flag and stands for the deep bond between the country and seafaring.

The latest coin edition which belongs to the Tiffany-Art series shows two Manueline masterpieces in all their glory. The reverse opens up the view into the nave of the Santa Maria des Mosteiro dos Jerónimos abbey in Belém, one of today’s districts in Lisbon. The obverse side shows the famous window in the chapter house of the Convento de Cristo in Tomar. A master class relief combined with a genuine coloured window. Coin art at its best.