Tokelau, known previously as the Tokelau Islands, is a dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean. It uses the New Zealand Dollar as circulation currency, but has been issuing a variety of non-circulating coins since 1978. These are denominated in dollars or "Tala" (the local word for dollar) and cents.
The country has also authorised some foreign mints to issue non circulating bullion coins under its jurisdiction, such as this 1 oz (one ounce) gold coin.
This design is the ninth issue in a twelve-year series of bullion coins called Marine Life (or Tokelau Sealife), and features the Lionfish.
Also called firefish, turkeyfish, tastyfish, or butterfly-cod, the lionfish (or lion fish) is a venomous tropical fish characterised by conspicuous warning coloration with red, white, creamy, or black bands, showy pectoral fins, and venomous, spiky fin rays. |
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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 ~ TOKELAU 2022 ~ 100 DOLLARS.
Above the value and denomination, divided by the Queen's portrait, the precious metal content: 1 oz. 9999 FINE GOLD (one troy ounce of 99.99% gold).
Below the Queen's effigy, the national badge of Tokelau depicting a "tuluma" - a traditional Tokelauan carved wooden “tackle box” used by local fishermen. A cross in the centre of the tuluma and the inscription below, TOKELAU MO TE ATUA ("Tokelau for God") reflect the strong influence of Christianity in Tokelau.
The rim is decorated with a geometric pattern. |
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