Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys, Coin from Somalia - detailed information

Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys, Coin from Somalia
CoinSilver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys

The Somali Shilling is the official currency of Somalia. Due to inflation though, regular cash circulation in the country is handled not by coins but mostly by banknotes and foreign currency.

The country has also authorised a number of foreign mints to issue commemorative coins under its jurisdictions. Some of them are in the 25 g (twenty-five grams) of silver format. They are Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) and not bullion, because they are released at prices higher than the precious metal value, and are sought by collectors for their artistic merit.

The image of the three monkeys covering their eyes, ears and mouth originates from a Buddhist proverb and symbolises the ideal attitude toward evil.

"o see nothing, to hear nothing, to say nothing". This proverb has its origins in an ancient Buddhist legend. In Japanese it goes: "Mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru". The verb's negative form - zaru - is phonetically similar to the Japanese word for monkey, saru. This signifies that all the wisdom in this world is represented by three monkeys covering each others ears, mouth and eyes.

This image dates back to the 17th century and quickly attained popularity around the world. The extent to which the meaning of the Three Wise Monkeys has changed over time is remarkable. The statement "I won't look, won't listen and won't speak", or more accurately "complete apathy", is now understood to symbolise ignorance and the absence of courage to stand up for one's beliefs. Yet, originally the three monkeys stood for exactly the opposite: an absolute and perfect exposure to all evil. In Asia, this is still how the symbol is viewed. The Buddhist teaching refers to: "See no evil, hear no evil, say no evil". Needless to say that the three chimpanzees on the gold coin represent the eastern tradition: Avoid all evil!

MintB. H. Mayer Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 2,500
Obverse
Somalia / Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys - obverse photo

Within a plain border, the reverse of the coin displays the Coat of Arms of Somalia, featuring a shield (its blue colour indicated in "heraldic hatching" by thin horizontal lines), in the centre of which is a five-pointed star. The shield is surmounted by a decorated emblem with five heads, the with two lateral ones halved. The shield is borne from the sides by two cheetahs stepping on spears and facing each other under the lower point of the shield, along with two palm leaves, which are interlaced with a white ribbon.

Around above, the name of the country in English: SOMALI REPUBLIC. Around below, the face value 4000 SHILLINGS.

Obverse Inscription SOMALI REPUBLIC 4000 SHILLINGS
Reverse
Somalia / Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys - reverse photo

The reverse of the coin shows a depiction of three monkeys - one has covered its years with its hands, the other one its mouth and the third one its eyes. The figures of the monkeys are selectively gold plated.

Around above, the inscription THE THREE WISE MONKEYS. The date of issue, 2006, is around below.

Reverse Inscription THE THREE WISE MONKEYS 2006
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

The coin was struck by B.H. Mayer for CIT Coin Invest.
CIT Item ID: 22260

See also

There is also a gold coin with the same design.

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Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys: Details
CountrySomalia
CurrencySomali Shilling
PeriodSecond Shilling (1990 - present)
Coin TypeSilver Twenty-five Grams
Issued2006
SymbolCoat of Arms of Somalia
Face Value4000 (x Shilling - Second Shilling)
Total Mintage2,500
CurrentYes
Material0.925 Silver
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size38.6100 mm
Mass25.0000 g
OCC IDYRVP-OVRC-WXGA-ODQG
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Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys: Photos
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Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys: Photo Coin, Somalia, Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys / thumbnail Coin, Somalia, Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys
Copyright: CIT Coin Invest
Source
Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys: Photo Coin, Somalia, Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys / thumbnail Coin, Somalia, Silver Twenty-five Grams 2006 Three Wise Monkeys
Copyright: CIT Coin Invest
Source