Gold Coin Hei Matau Maori Art 1 Oz 2012 Proof

Maori Art Series - One-ounce Gold Coin - Hei Matau

This exclusive gold coin, issued by the Bank of New Zealand in 2012 as the second in the "Maori Art" series and minted by the Royal Dutch Mint in top proof quality, weighing 1 troy ounce (31.1g) in purity of the purest 99.99% gold, is dedicated to the symbol of Maori art - Hei Matau.

The reverse of the coin depicts a beautiful three-dimensional relief depicting the motifs of traditional Maori art.

In the centre of the coin is depicted in high relief a Hei Matau or fishing hook traditionally carved from Pounam jade or whalebone. This beautiful hand-carved design by the famous Maori artist Lewis Gardiner was first approved in 2011 for the 60 cent New Zealand stamp. The Hei Matau motif symbolises navigation, abundance of seafood, mana and knowledge. The background depicts a traditional Maori kowhaiwhai (frieze) design called "koiri" (sway/bend) combined with traditional whakairo (carving) and unaunahi (fish scale) designs. On the right, the coin is embedded with New Zealand Pounamu jade jade, which is highly regarded in Maori culture and its export is very limited. The Pounamu on the coin symbolises the moon, which rules the realm of Tangaroa (the god of the sea) of the tides of the sea. All this is complemented by the denomination in English and Maori and the inscription "HEI MATAU". The obverse shows a traditional portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian-Rank Broadley with the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II", "NEW ZEALAND" and the year of issue "2012".

The incisions on the edge of the coin are based on the earliest type of Maori carving. The two notches represent power and abundance, while the three notches represent the three phases of creation (epochs of time): Te Kore (nothingness), Te Po (darkness) and Te Ao Marama (the world of light).

The coin comes in a Waka huia wooden kauri case (a decorative carved container for the most valuable personal items) along with a numbered certificate of authenticity in a very limited edition of only 250 pieces for the entire world!