CIT’ Numismatic Icons – Leon
CIT is releasing the sixth issue in its successful Numismatic Icons series. It reinterprets the early tetradrachms of the Sicilian city of Leontinoi. The impressive motif of a lion’s head – ‘leon’ in Greek – has always made these coins unique.
Content
Once again, three versions of this Numismatic Icon will be released in 2025: the 1-oz silver and gold version were minted with smartminting® (Ultra High Relief) by B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt in Munich. They have a slightly irregular blank to imitate the aesthetics of an ancient coin. This impression is supported by the antique finish.
Cook Islands / 5 Dollars 2025 / Silver .9999 / 1 oz / 33 mm / Antique finish / Mintage: 999.
Cook Islands / 250 Dollars 2025 / Gold .9999 / 1 oz / 30 mm / Antique finish / Mintage: 199.
Description of the Coin
One side of the three coins depicts a lion’s head facing right. In the right field CI, below a grain. The uneven edge imitates the aesthetics of an ancient coin.
The other side shows the portrait of Charles III by Dan Thorne (initials DT). Circumscription: the respective denomination / CHARLES III / 2025 / COOK ISLANDS. In addition on the 250-Dollar gold piece 1 oz / Au.9999 to the left of the portrait.
The inspiration for this issue are the ancient tetradrachms of Leontinoi. This example can be dated to 450/430 B.C. From auction Künker 304 (2018), lot 150. hammer price: 6,500 euros
Background
The depiction of the king of beast refers to the most important deity of the citizens of Leontinoi, Apollo. The grain is reminiscent of the four grains that surround the lion’s head on ancient tetradrachms to indicate their face value. In ancient times, people associated them with the fertility of the soil of Leontinoi. After all, Sicily was considered one of the most important granaries of the Mediterranean until the Middle Ages. This is the only way to explain why this ancient city became so prosperous although – unlike all other Greek settlements in Sicily – it was not located on the coast but about 10 kilometers inland.
Cook Islands / 5 Dollars 2025 / Gold .9999 / 0.5 g / 12 mm / Silk finish / Mintage: 5.000.
The small gold coin is a little masterpiece, too. With a weight of 0.5 g of gold, it has a diameter of approximately 12 millimeters and stands out due to its impressive relief contrasting with a silk-finish field.
If you want to experience all three dimensions of these coins, you have to watch the corresponding film. Here is the gold version:
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… and this is the silver version:
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