Silver Proof Coin From CIT Celebrates Symbol of Hope to All Who Sail the Seas

April 17, 2019

Anchor – Fair Winds

Cook Islands. 10 Dollars. 2019. Silver .999. 2 oz. 38.61 mm. Black Proof. Mintage: 999 pcs. B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt, Munich.

Description

The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley (initials IRB); surrounded by the monarch’s name, the issuing country, and the denomination.

The reverse is dominated by an anchor, with an anchor rope wound around it; it is placed on a compass; in the left field the inscription FAIR WINDS & FOLLOWING SEAS.

Story

The anchor is the center of attention of CIT Coin Invest AG’s coin “Fair Winds”. Advanced smartminting technology allows its high relief to protrude against the otherwise relatively flat surface. This contrast is emphasized even more by its finish: the coin’s fields were struck in black proof, the anchor and the rope that winds around it were struck in proof quality. This results in an even more striking visual contrast between the high-luster anchor and the blackish gray background.

Learn more about Coin Invest Trust’s smartminting technology here:

The anchor is considered the oldest symbol of seafaring. On the endless miles of open waters, it represents the only possibility to pause. As a result, the anchor has become the epitome of steady support in stormy weather. It comes as no surprise that the personification of hope was characterized by an anchor in early modern times.

The anchor’s good-luck message is emphasized by the English seafarer’s wish ”Fair Winds & Following Seas”. While every landlubber will understand that “Fair Winds” pleads for a favorable breeze, only insiders will make sense of the message “Following Seas”: it refers to waves that move in the direction the ship is heading. Such waves are fairly easy to navigate and offer an additional boost.

This makes “Fair Winds” not only an exquisite product of state-of-the-art minting technology but also a wonderful lucky charm for all those who set out to conquer the Seven Seas.