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 coins under its jurisdiction. Two troy ounces of silver is an internationally popular format, which is usually denominated as Ten Dollars.
The Mint says about this coin: 2021 is the Year of the Ox in the Lunar calendar. Due to the hardworking and laborious nature of the ox, the year of 2021 is said to bring about a time of steadfast and optimistic rebuilding following a static and slow-moving 2020. In Western culture, the bull symbolises a rising market and is generally perceived to be a positive outcome for the market, especially in 2021. Matched with the dragon which symbolises auspiciousness with hope, luck and success, the ox emerges confidently on this piece and asserts strength and power. Behind it, the dragon surrounds the ox with its body, providing protection and guardianship as it charges ahead.
As a work of creative expression, the artist included the intricacies of caisson architecture behind the pair of animals, an octagonal shape that bears immense cultural significance due to its similarity to the Taoist Ba Gua sign.
Measuring 80mm in diameter, this piece is double the size of the regular 2 oz collectible. This is made possible with a new minting technique called “Bi-Metal Plus”, which combines 11.5 oz of copper within two layers of 999 fine-silver totalling 2 oz. The result is an incredible weight and feel to match the regal Chinese dragon detail, and a super ultra-high relief topped with silver antiqued finishing. |