NZL Giant Eagle
| NZL Giant Eagle | |
|---|---|
| Metal: | 99.9% Ag |
| Edge: | corrugated |
| Embossing years: | 2009 |
| front | |
| Motive: | Giant Eagle (Haastadler) |
| Designer: | Ken Wright |
| back | |
| Motive: | Elizabeth II |
| Designer: | Ian Rank-Broadley |
The NZL Giant Eagle silver coin is a collector's coin that was produced by the New Zealand Mint Mint . The Haastadler was chosen as the motif of the coin . In New Zealand this eagle is known as the "Giant Eagle". The coin was minted exclusively in 2009 and its mintage was 11,500 pieces.
background
The Haastadler, to which the Giant Eagle silver coin owes its name and leitmotif, was one of the largest predators on the islands of New Zealand. This type of eagle could weigh up to 18 kilograms and reach a wingspan of between 2.6 and 3 meters. During their raids, the birds presumably reached attack speeds of up to 80 km / h. The disappearance of the Haastadler around 500 years ago went hand in hand with the extinction of the moas by humans, as this ratite was the main food source for the enormous bird of prey. After the moas became extinct, the Haastadler couldn't find enough food to survive and died out too.
With the NZL Giant Eagle coin they wanted to commemorate one of the great landmarks of New Zealand.
front
The face of the coin features a portrait of the Queen of England. Since New Zealand is one of the Commonwealth of Nations , Queen Elizabeth II is the official head of state there and is therefore represented on the country's official coins. The picture was designed by the British sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. In addition to the image of the British Queen, the year of issue of the coin can also be seen on the obverse with the number 2009.
back
The reverse of the coin is decorated with a picture of the Haastadler in his typical attacking position. In addition to the motif, there is also the traditional Māori symbol for the eagle. The Haastadler occupies a very special place in the culture of the indigenous people of New Zealand. It was the subject of many legends and was even feared by the Maori as an ogre. The face value of one New Zealand dollar is also stamped on this side of the coin. He makes this coin an official means of payment in New Zealand, whereby the pure material value alone makes the coin more valuable.
material
The coin itself is made of silver with a purity of 999/1000. This means that 99.9% of the metal contained is pure silver. The edge of the coin is traditionally fluted to prevent precious metal from being removed from the coin afterwards. The diameter of the coin is exactly 40 millimeters.
Other coins in this series
In addition to the Giant Eagle coin, other silver coins have appeared in this series by the New Zealand Mint. Another single coin shows the southern right whale . There is also a five-part set that shows, in addition to the long-tailed eagle and southern right whale, motifs of giant moa , giant squid and giant grasshopper .