Gold Coin India Wildlife - Rhino 1 Oz 2022

India Wildlife - Rhino

This exclusive gold coin, issued by the British Overseas Territory of St Helena for 2022 and minted in the finest 99.99% pure gold, weighing 1 Oz (31.1 g), is part of the India Wildlife series. The representative of the fifth coin in the series is the Indian rhinoceros, whose population has been almost wiped out by poachers supplying horns with supposedly medicinal properties for the purpose of Chinese medicine.

The reverse of the coin depicts the rhinoceros as an armoured colossus grazing Indian grasslands. The upturned head gives prominence to the single horn that distinguishes it from the African species. The rhinoceros is struck in detailed raised relief, accentuated by the elaborate texture of the skin. Part of the image extends over the inner field of the coin, which is decorated with a grid pattern. The rim of the coin contains the inscriptions "ONE OUNCE - CASH - 999.9 GOLD".
The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is one of the 5 living species of rhinoceroses. It is characterised by its single horn, which can reach a length of 20 to 60 cm, and is therefore also known as the one-horned rhinoceros.
The rhinoceros is a part of Indian culture, history and religion. The Indian god of fire, Agni, for example, has been depicted on its back. Indian rulers used it as a diplomatic tool to establish relations with their Western counterparts. In this way, the first rhinoceros reached Europe as a gift to the Emperor of the Roman Empire in the middle of the 3rd century. Another Indian rhinoceros was recorded in 1515 at the court of King Manuel of Portugal. This piece became the inspiration for Albrecht Dürer's famous, albeit anatomically inaccurate, woodcut of a rhinoceros.
The current population of the species is estimated at 3,500, with most individuals having found a home in Kaziranga National Park in the Indian state of Assam.

The obverse depicts a coin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark, which is accompanied by the artist's initials "J.C.", the inscription "ELIZABETH II. D.G. REGINA .F.D.", the denomination and the year of issue.

The coin comes in a gift box along with a numbered certificate of authenticity, in a very limited edition of only 200 pieces for the entire world!

This product is part of the following product sets: