The currency of Samoa is the Tālā, the name of which is a transliteration of the English words Dollar; it was introduced in 1967. On coinage sometimes the English word is inscribed, especially on commemorative and bullion coins not intended to circulate within the country.
Samoa has authorised some private mints to issue coins under its jurisdiction, which come in a variety of sizes - including in the popular silver ounce (1 oz silver) format, such as this one.
This silver coin decorated with Czech crystal represents the Chinese zodiac sign for the year 2023, which is the hare (2023 is The Year of the Rabbit by the Chinese Lunar Calendar). The Eastern zodiac, also known as the Chinese zodiac, contains twelve signs - twelve animals that represent twelve temperaments with positive and negative traits. Unlike the classical horoscope we are used to in Europe, each of these signs belongs to a whole year, and once all the animals have been replaced, the twelve-year cycle begins anew..
The year 2023 is dedicated to the fourth animal of the Chinese zodiac - the hare. Why? Legend tells of the Jade Emperor who ruled the heavens and sought someone to guard his palace. Twelve creatures - a rat, a buffalo, a tiger, a hare, a dragon, a snake, a horse, a goat, a monkey, a rooster, a dog and a pig competed for the emperor's favour. Their position in the palace was to be decided by a great race. The strong buffalo was the favourite, but he did not know that a cunning rat had settled on his back and jumped off just before the finish line, depriving him of the victory. The nimble tiger took the third place and the agile hare, who was nudged to the finish by the good-natured dragon, took the fourth place.
People who are born under the influence of a hare tend to be intelligent, insightful, reliable and creative. Although they are kind, dedicated, sensitive and diplomatic, they can be prone to a moodiness that makes them superior and indifferent in weak moments. |
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The obverse of the coin is divided into three vertical sections. In the upper part of the central section, the design shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait", by Ian Rank-Broadley). 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 neck truncation, the designer's initials IRB.
Given that Samoa has been a republic since it gained independence in 1962, it is unclear why the Queen's effigy is displayed on the coin (not to mention that she died in 2023).
Below the portrait, the Coat of Arms of Samoa. It consists of a shield, the lower two-thirds of which have five stars representing the constellation of the Southern Cross; the upper third depicts a beach and a coconut palm. The shield is surmounted by a cross with rays radiating from its centre, and is superimposed on two concentric circles representing the world, and an olive branch wreath - as in the United Nations Badge. On a ribbon below, the motto FA'AVAE I LE ATUA SAMOA, meaning "God be the Foundation of Samoa".
On three lines below, the Queen's legend: ELIZABETH II, the face value 2 DOLLARS, and the name of the country and the date of issue: SAMOA 2023.
Below the inscription, the mint mark of the Czech Mint - a crowned monogram of the letters ČM (Česká mincovna).
The other two sections of the design display the twelve animals of the Chinese Lunar calendar, ordered clockwise and starting from above right. |
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