Circles of Life
Cook Islands. 5 Dollars 2022. Silver .999. 1 oz. 45 mm. Proof. Mintage: 2,022 pieces. Minted by B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt, Munich.
Description of the Coin
One side depicts a circle composed of the growth rings of a tree and the human fingerprint. On the motif, the inscription “Circles of Life” is below the year.
The other side features the portrait of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley (initials: IRB); around it is the name of the ruler, the issuing nation, and the denomination.
Background
Every year, a tree forms a new growth ring, which – depending on whether it was a good year or a bad year – is wide or narrow, respectively. Every tree that grows under the same conditions creates similar rings, which is why the patterns of all trees that grew up under the same conditions are similar.
Every human being has their own fingerprint. No matter what happens, no matter whether the person experienced, good times or bad, their fingerprint will remain unique and consistent throughout their entire life.
And yet, humans and trees, individuals and environmental conditions, are inseparably linked to each other. They are part of nature, united in the infinite circle of life.
CIT captured this idea in a unique coin motif, on which the growth rings of a tree are combined with a human fingerprint. Working out the fine frosted structures from the high-luster surface of the Proof coin required utmost precision during the minting process.
Anyone who teaches their children that a good life may consist of planting a tree, building a house, and raising a child will immediately grasp the message of this issue.
Further Information
www.cit.li/coins/circles-of-life
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CoinWeek Podcast #155: Ultra-Modern Coins Take Over
Mobile phone users. Stream this podcast for free by downloading the podomatic app or subscribe to the CoinWeek Podcast on iTunes.
In this episode of the CoinWeek Podcast, we have a lively, interesting, and provocative conversation with Chang Bullock and Orlando Lorenzana of CIT, where we talk about how ultra-modern coins (or postmodern coins, as we call them) have taken over the contemporary coin market and how CIT’s innovations in color and coin minting technology are changing the game for private and sovereign mints.
You cannot walk away from this podcast without learning something about the way minting has changed–and has always been changing throughout the course of monetary history–and we hope it will give you a clearer picture of where we are heading.
