Interesting designs, yes. There are two significant changes here: First, the small denominations (1c, 2c, 5c) are no longer made - instead, a $2 coin was added to the "set". Also, the new coins are smaller than the old ones: 10c: 19 mm (old: 23.6) 20c: 21 mm (old: 28.5) 50c: 24.2 mm (old: 29.5) $1: 21.5 mm (old: 30.0) $2: 20.5 mm And here are the descriptions, taken from http://www.cbsi.com.sb/fileadmin/press_releases/2012-04.pdf ... 10c - SEA SPIRIT: The new 10 cent coin retains the sea spirit design that is on the current 10 cent coin. The design portrays the sea spirit Ngoreru from Temotu province in the Eastern Solomon’s. 20c - PENDANT: The new 20 cent coin retains the pendant design on the current 20 cent coin. The design depicts a traditional pendant design of Malaita province. 50c - EAGLE: The new 50 cent coin features the eagle design on the current 2 cent coin. The eagle spirit symbolises deity in various communities in Solomon Islands. $1 - NGUZU NGUZU: The new $1 dollar coin retains the nguzu nguzu design of the current 1 dollar coin. The design portrays a carving of the spirit Nguzu Nguzu from the Western province. It portrays good luck and protection. $2 - BOKOLO: The design features a bokolo from Western and Choiseul provinces. The bokolo is made from fossilised clam shells and was traditionally used as a form of money. It is featured in the $2 coin and represents the many different forms of traditional money used in Solomon Islands. Christian
The 20 Cents looks nice, the 50 is OK, the others are strange a silver proof set is available for 220 US$ from the Royal Australian mint. http://mintissue.ramint.gov.au/mintissue/product.asp?code=510182
BTW that is $220 AUD for international, plus a $30 delivery. They are certainly not making it easy. I looked around for another vendor and came up blank. Meanwhile, the Air Series they have is nice, but only 3/6 are available anywhere and it would be nice to find a Rosella.
