Cook Islands. 2 Dollars 2016. 50 mm. 1/2 oz. Silver .999. Proof. Mintage: 999 pcs. Design: Coin Invest Trust. Mint: B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt, Munich.
Description
The obverse displays the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Elizabeth II of England, along with her name, the title of the issuing nation, and the nominal value.
The reverse shows two stylised tendrils in relief on a proof surface and two paper flowers, made with quilling technique, which are arranged on the coin surface. Inside the ornamental pattern that borders the rim, the inscriptions QUILLING ART and, below, FLOWERS, are engraved.
Story
Quilling, or paper filigree, is a craft in which paper strips are rolled, shaped, and glued together to design creative art works. The paper scrolls are formed with the help of various tools and can quickly be shaped into eyes, leaves, drops, flowers, and other symbols.
The historical origins of quilling go back as far as the Renaissance. Paper strips left over in the process of book trimming were recycled by monks and nuns to ornament book covers. Sheathed with golden colour, such quilling elements were almost as valuable as ornaments made from more precious materials.
In the 18th century, quilling became a popular occupation for ladies from the upper ranks of society, who used the paper-rolling technique to decorate, for instance, tea caddies and furniture. Today quilling has been taken up as a hobby by people young and old around the world. Its practitioners, who refer to themselves as “quillers”, decorate gift cards and boxes, jewelry and mobiles, and many other things with their delicate paper works.
What is more, quilling has also found its way into the visual arts: Artists Yulia Brodskaya and Lisa Nilsson attained international success with their sophisticated paper art works. Coin Invest Trust has now created a completely novel coin, which fuses metal and paper in an exciting new way. Every coin in this strictly limited edition is rendered a unique copy by the handmade quilling elements, whose luminous colours captivate the beholder.
Highlights
Coin Invest Trust’s latest creation features two handmade, paper filigree flowers on the reverse, whose bright colourfulness is a stunning contrast against the coin’s silver background.
For further information, visit http://www.coin-invest.li.
