Silver Two Ounces 2013 Tiffany Art - Venetian Gothic, 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 Venetian Gothic art style.

Venetian Gothic is an architectural style which combines Gothic iconography with Moorish and Byzantine influences in an elegant manner. Its main works originated from the 14th and early 15th centuries during Venice’s heyday, when enough funds were available to finance this elaborate style. The silver coin‘s reverse shows the famous Palazzo Ducale, which is now a museum. From the ninth century onwards until the end of the Republic in 1797, it was the Doges domicile. Its present Gothic form originates from 1340.

Behind the palace is the Lion of Saint Mark (San Marco), a symbol of the evangelist and patron Saint Mark, and the tower of the church San Giorgio Maggiore, which is located on the identically named island in Venice’s lagoon. The obverse side shows the marvellous Ca‘ d’Oro City Palace which was built in the 15th century. The architects were, among others, Giovanni Buon and his son Barolomeo who were Venice’s top sculptors of that time. The name Ca’ d’Oro (Golden House) comes from the originally gold-plated ornaments on the magnificent façade which overlooks the Grand Canal.