Description:
Star-crossed lovers Sigismund II Augustus and Barbara Radziwiłł feature in the fourth coin in the Mint of Poland’s series “The Most Beautiful Polish Love Stories”. Sigismund II was the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. His bride, Barbara Radziwiłł, was a 27-year old beauty from a prominent Lithuanian family. Their marriage was controversial and short-lived, as his queen succumbed to a mysterious illness just three years after their marriage. Suspicions filled the Polish court but nothing was ever proven.
This oval-shaped colorized coin is struck on .999 silver and is decorated with high-quality digital printing and is embellished by a brilliant red Swarovski crystal. Each coin, as issued, comes in an elegant scarlet presentation case in the shape of a heart.
Obverse: The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II based on Ian Rank Broadley’s design appears on the left. The initials IRB appear below the neck truncation. In the background, Warsaw’s Royal Castle is depicted. The denomination 1 DOLLAR appears at the top of the coin, wrapping around the border. At the bottom, the inscription: ELIZABETH II, NIUE ISLAND 2015, AG 999.
Reverse: Inside of a heart-shape frame, the colorized portraits of Polish King Sigismund II Augustus and Queen Barbara Radziwiłł. The portrait of Sigismund is derived from a painting by Lucas Cranach the Younger (1515-1586). The portrait of Queen Barbara Radziwiłł is derived from a 16th century painting that is currently on display at Nesvizh Castle in Belarus. The heart-shaped frame has a beaded border. It’s top and bottom is embellished by filigrees. Offset to the left is a red Swarovski crystal. The inscription is written in Polish script. It reads: Zygmunt II August (Sigismund II Augustus) and Barbara Radziwiłłówna (Barbara Radziwiłł).
Coin Specifications:
Country: | Niue Island |
Year Of Issue: | 2015 |
Denomination: | 1 New Zealand Dollar |
Mint Mark: | Struck by Mint of Poland |
Mintage: | 450 |
Alloy: | .999 Silver |
Weight: | 17.0 grams |
Diameter: | 38.9 x 29.1 mm |
OBV Designer | |
REV Designer | |
Quality: | Proof |
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