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Niue, a sovereign state in free association with New Zealand, uses two official legal tender currencies. The New Zealand Dollar is the circulation currency for daily transactions, while the government also authorises legal tender coins in the Niue Dollar currency for collector's purposes.
A number of mints issue a large variety of commemorative, bullion and collector coins under the authority of Niue. These coins are dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to Niue itself. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes - typically, one ounce of silver (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). Many of these have a Zodiac-inspired theme.
This rectangular silver-ounce coin featuring the sign Scorpio is part of a twelve-coin series dedicated to the Signs of the Zodiac and illustrated, in full colour, with drawings by famed Japanese artist Yutaka Kagaya.
Scorpio is able to control his character very skilfully, but there are some signs by which one can recognise these people. Their eyes radiate hypnotism, the look of a Scorpio person penetrates deep into you. They know their own worth and nothing will change Scorpio’s own opinion of himself/herself. It is considered that a typical Scorpio is rarely afraid of anything. They are usually brave and fearless people. The person of this sign is an amazingly loyal friend. They will never forget the kindness given to them or a gift. So don’t hesitate and present this astonishing Zodiac silver coin to your faithful friend Scorpio.
Obverse
At its centre, the obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a pearl necklace, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait").
Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation is the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
On two lines above, the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH II NIUE. On two lines below, the face value and the precious metal content: 2 DOLLARS 1 oz 999 SILVER (one troy ounce of 99.9% silver).
The rim around the portrait is wide and contains the zodiacal symbols for the twelve Signs of the Zodiac; below, is the date of issue 2011.
Reverse
Featured on the reverse of the coin in full colour is Gaia, the cosmological deity that represents the Earth; she ordered Scorpion to kill Orion.
Above, Σκoρπίος (Skorpios); in the exergue below, SCORPIO - the name of the sign in Greek and Latin respectively.
Also shown below are the symbol ♏︎ and the dates which the sign represents - OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22.
SPECIFICATIONS
Coin: Kagaya Zodiac: Scorpio
Year of issue: 2011
Denomination: 2 Dollars
Country: Niue Islands
Metal: Silver 999
Weight: 31.1 gr
Diameter: 55 x 33 mm
Quality: proof
Mintage: 8000
Features: real Yutaka Kagaya’s picture
Collection : Niue collection