Coin | Silver Ounce 2020 Number Pi |
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Apart from its regular circulating coinage, Solomon Islands has authorised a number of private mints to issue collector coins in precious metals, which are legal tender in the country but are not intended for general circulation. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes - typically, one ounce of silver (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). These are usually dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to the country itself.
This premium bullion coin is dedicated to the probably most fascinating number in mathematics - the Number Pi (π).
The number π is a mathematical constant. Originally defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, it now has various equivalent definitions and appears in many formulas in all areas of mathematics and physics. It is approximately equal to 3.14159. It has been represented by the Greek letter π since the mid-18th century, though it is also sometimes spelled out as "pi". It is also called Archimedes' constant. |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). 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 head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the value: ELIZABETH II SOLOMON ISLANDS 2020 1oz 999 Ag.
The precious metal content, 1oz 999 Ag (one troy ounce of 99.9% silver) is divided by the date. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse of the coin features the portrait of three mathematicians: Ludolph Van Ceulen, who is famed for his calculation of Pi to 35 places; William Oughtred, the first who used the symbol pi for the number, and at centre Archimedes - pi is also called Archimedes' constant.
Around above, their names: LUDOLPH VAN CEULEN · ARCHIMEDES · WILLIAM OUGHTRED.
Near the bottom of the coin is the symbol for pi - the Greek letter π, along with the face value of 3.14 DOLLARS.
The background has a pattern built of parts of the number pi. |
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Reverse Inscription |
π 3.14 DOLLARS LUDOLPH VAN CEULEN · ARCHIMEDES · WILLIAM OUGHTRED |
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Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated). Packaging: individual coin in protective capsule, or 20 in sealed sheet. |
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