Magnificent Life 2017 – Cobra
Cook Islands. 5 Dollars 2017. Silver .999. 1 oz. 38.61 mm. Proof. Mintage: 999 pcs.
Design: Coin Invest Trust. Mint: B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt, Munich.
Description
The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Elizabeth II of England, as well as her name, the name of the issuing nation, nominal value, and year of issue.
The reverse features the colored head of a rearing cobra, below, the name of the series MAGNIFICENT LIFE.
Story
The cobra is one of the most fascinating animals in the world. The habitat of the 28 species known today stretches from South Africa to South-East Asia. The most striking feature of many cobras is their hood, the stretchable skin in the neck area, which the up to 2.5-meter-large snakes expand when threatened. Towering high, the snake rears upwards, fixates on its opponent and produces hissing sounds before attacking to bite or spit its highly potent venom over a distance of up to four meters towards the attacker’s eyes.
While the snake’s prey – small mammals, birds, or lizards – is helpless against the venom, it can, even in humans, cause blindness or paralysis with fatal consequences in the course of only a few hours. Legend has it that the Egyptian queen Cleopatra committed suicide helped by the deadly bite of an Egyptian Cobra. Egyptian mythology attributed protective powers to the rearing Egyptian Cobra, also known as the Uraeus. And Cobras are still an object of worship in Hinduism today, where they symbolize the fertility of the highest-ranking deity Shiva.
To this impressive genus CIT, for the Cook Islands, dedicates the third issue in its Magnificent Life series. Like its predecessors, Peacock and Wasp Spider, the snake stands out exceptionally high from the concave coin field thanks to Smartminting© technology. The technical perfection of the cupped proof surface with delicate selective gloss and brilliant coloring creates an incredible true-to-life rendition of the snake.
Highlights
The third issue in CIT’s MAGNIFICENT LIFE series, designed for the Cook Islands, features an awe-inspiring rearing Cobra. Thanks to Smartminting© the issue’s technical perfection combines a proof coin field with most delicate and detailed color complements.
Further information
http://www.coin-invest.li/coins/cobra/
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Scarab Selection II
Cook Islands. 5 Dollars 2017. Silver .999. 1 oz. 38.61 mm. Proof. Mintage: 499 pcs.
Design: Coin Invest Trust. Mint: B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt, Munich.
Description
The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Elizabeth II of England against stylised ornaments, also her name, the name of the issuing nation, nominal value, and year of issue.
The reverse depicts a Scarab, combined with a black Swaroski® crystal in the “Lunar Eclipse” edition. Also featured is the name of the respective edition: “Beyond the World”, “Lunar Eclipse”, and “Solitary Flame”.
Story
In spite of being only three centimeters long, the “Holy Dung Beetle” (Scarabaeus sacer) performs astonishing tasks: balancing on its forelegs it uses its hind legs to roll dung balls which are many times its size and weight. Once buried in the ground, the ball, made from the dung of ungulates, serves as a cavity in which the female beetle lays its egg and later as food for the larvae before they emerge from underground to the sunlight as beetles.
The ancient Egyptians saw parallels between the solar cycle and the way the ball is rolled, buried, and the young beetles “hatched” from underground. That’s why they worshipped the gleaming Scarab as a symbol of Re, the god of the sun. In the form of amulets, the beetle was ubiquitous in Egyptian everyday life. As a seal or burial object, made from different materials, it was believed to be a protection from diseases and a lucky charm.
In this meaning it continues to be the perfect gift even today, especially in its numismatic rendition by CIT. Designed for the Cook Islands, the Scarab Selection series continues with this highly exclusive and limited edition of three new coins. Smartminting© renders the coins’ relief exceptionally high. The silver Scarab on the “Beyond the World” coin creates a stunning contrast to the gilded coin field, while the “Solitary Flame” features a rose gold beetle on a silver field. And the dark gleaming “Lunar Eclipse” creates a dramatic effect with its inserted black Swarowski® crystal.
Highlights
For the Cook Islands, CIT continues the “Scarab Selection” series with a set limited to 499 pieces. The relief of the three 1 oz fine silver coins achieves an unprecedented height and wealth of detail thanks to Smartminting© technology. The “Lunar Eclipse” edition complements fascinating color with an additional inserted Swarowski® crystal.
Further information
http://www.coin-invest.li/coins/beyond-the-world-scarab-selection-ii/
http://www.coin-invest.li/coins/lunar-eclipse-scarab-selection-ii/
http://www.coin-invest.li/coins/solitary-flame-scarab-selection-ii/
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