This just arrived and I only have a chance to take a quick pick, but this coin celebrates the Cave of Chauvet which was the subject of Herzog's "Cave of dreams" which was a terrific film.
And that is where that "coin" is "from". Inverted commas because, in cases like Niue, some major dealer picks a theme that is likely to sell well, and then finds a country or territory that is willing to act as the issuer ... Here is the Chauvet Cave piece again, with the other side. And from the same series, a piece with a painting from Tadrart (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacus_Mountains). I have mixed feelings about such issues. Some are really nicely designed, but are they coins from Niue? Hardly. (And no, I do not have any of these.) Christian
I think it would have been more interesting if they gave the coin the texture and molding of the cave wall. In the case of the Cave of Chauvet, the walls shape were an integral part of the art works. The walls and the painting together formed a special art work which gives a great illusion of movement and time passing, especially in torch light which flickers.
Lizzie looks very young and sexy on this obverse. So Chris, what do you think of Perth mint coins then ?
BTW - it seems to be a Briittish product of a mintage of a 1000 coins (this one being coin 211 ) (big deal). I really wish it was of a bit higher quality. They only had to mint a thousand of them. Looking it over, it makes one appreciate just how good the Perth Mint does these things. Ruben
You don't say?:devil: I meen the design of the silver coin. Is it bears? Is it a cloth? I don't know! And before you say it is a cave wall, I know that, I just don't know what the picture on the wall is! Please, someone who can see this better than me, what is it? (I serious don't know what it is) Edit: Wait, now I see the bear in the corner of the wall picture.
Not that I am fond of monarchies, but Elizabeth has just had, or is having, her diamond jubilee (60 years as a queen), and she seems to be doing fine. As for what I think about such coins, see here (http://www.cointalk.com/t207904-2/#post1462950) -- that is a continuum rather than clearly separate categories. Many Perth Mint issues for Australia are at least related to the country. What I don't really like is pieces that have nothing to do with the supposedly issuing place. Take this piece for example. http://www.mennica.com.pl/en/produc...acz/aquileia-1-dollar-series-amber-route.html I like the "look" (the Polish Mint does lots of excellent designs in my opinion) but what the heck does Aquileia (or the Amber Route) have to do with Niue? If anybody wants to buy them because they look great or have some interesting special effect, fine. I just think that it gets harder and harder to differentiate between such pieces, and non-authorized issues in the name of existing countries, and fantasy pieces in the name of fantasy countries ... Christian