| Coin | Silver Ounce 2022 Goddesses of Olympus - Athena |
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The Tuvaluan Dollar is the currency of Tuvalu - a small nation in the Pacific Ocean. Tuvalu has never had banknotes of its own, and has been issuing coins since 1976; these circulate together with coins of the Australian Dollar, which is also legal tender in the country, and to which the Tuvaluan Dollar is pegged.
The Australian Perth Mint issues a large variety of non-circulating legal tender coins under the authority of Tuvalu. Some of these are in the silver ounce format (abbreviated as 1 oz). Strictly speaking, they are not bullion as they are priced at a premium and are targeted at collectors who appreciate them for their artistic merit and collectable value and not just for their precious metal content.
This coin is part of the Goddesses of Olympus (continuation of Gods of Olympus) series of premium bullion coins by the Perth Mint, which started in 2014 and then continued in 2020. This issue is dedicated to Athena.
In Greek mythology, Athena represented courage, inspiration, law and justice, mathematics, strength, strategy, arts and crafts. She was also considered the Goddess of War and a companion of many heroes including Odysseus, Jason and Heracles. |
| Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | Letter P |
Total Mintage |
15,000
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| Obverse | |
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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: QUEEN ELIZABETH II 1oz 9999 Ag 2022 TUVALU 1 DOLLAR.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content: one troy ounce of 99.99% silver (Ag is abbreviated from Argentum. the Latin word for silver).
The portrait of the Queen has a mirror finish; the rest of the surface is frosted. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin portrays Athena next to an olive tree; she is holding a large spear in her left hand, and a shield with her right hand. Accompanying her are a serpent and an owl - symbol of wisdom, and a companion and symbol of Athena. Behind, the Parthenon can be seen as part of ancient Athens (it was a temple to Athena Parthenos).
The serpent is the guardian of the Acropolis and incarnation of Erichthonius, progeny of Athena’s seducer, Hephaestus. The shield displays the gorgon Medusa’s head, which was given to Athena by Perseus.
Around below, the inscription ATHENA. The Perth Mint's P mint mark is on the right. Below right, on the snake's belly (after the second A in ATHENA), the designer's initials TV, for Thomas Vaughan. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ATHENA |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Silver Content (Troy oz): 1.000
Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated, frosted surfaces (13,500 coins), or antique (1,500 coins).
Packaging: individual loose coin, or 20 in mint tube, or 100 in mint box. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus series include (ordered by design / metal / size / year):
- 1 oz Gold, Zeus, Tuvalu 2021
- 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Zeus, Tuvalu 2021
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Zeus, Tuvalu 2014
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Zeus, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Zeus, Tuvalu 2020
- 1 oz Gold, Poseidon, Tuvalu 2021
- 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Poseidon, Tuvalu 2021
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Poseidon, Tuvalu 2014
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Poseidon, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Poseidon, Tuvalu 2021
- 1 oz Gold, Hades, Tuvalu 2021
- 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Hades, Tuvalu 2021
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Hades, Tuvalu 2014
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Hades, Tuvalu 2021
- 1 oz Gold, Ares, Tuvalu 2023
- 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Ares, Tuvalu 2023
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Ares, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Ares, Tuvalu 2023
- 1 oz Gold, Apollo, Tuvalu 2023
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Apollo, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Silver, Apollo, Tuvalu 2023
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Hephaestus, Cook Islands 2017
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Hermes, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Gold, Hera, Tuvalu 2022
- 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Hera, Tuvalu 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Hera, Tuvalu 2015
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Hera, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Hera, Tuvalu 2022
- 1 oz Gold, Athena, Tuvalu 2022
- 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Athena, Tuvalu 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Athena, Cook Islands 2017
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Athena, Tuvalu 2015
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Athena, Tuvalu 2022
- 1 oz Gold, Aphrodite, Tuvalu 2022
- 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Aphrodite, Tuvalu 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Aphrodite, Tuvalu 2015
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Aphrodite, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (with Antique version), Aphrodite, Tuvalu 2022
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Demeter, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Gold, Artemis, Tuvalu 2023
- 5 oz Silver (with Antique version), Artemis, Tuvalu 2023
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Artemis, Cook Islands 2017
- 2 oz Silver Antique, Hestia, Cook Islands 2017
- 1 oz Silver (with Antique version), Artemis, Tuvalu 2023
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