Silver Coin 1 kg 500 Years of the Fall of the Aztec Empire 2021 Antique Standard

Aztec Empire - 1 kg

A unique silver coin issued by the State of Samoa for 2021 weighing one kilogram using the Antique Standard multi-layer high relief technique and purity of 99.9% pure silver, commemorating 500 years since the fall of the Aztec Empire.

The motif on the reverse side is created in several different depths of embossing to create a perfect three-dimensional effect. The plasticity of the coin stands out in the stylized inscription "AZTEC" and the portrait of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II, who ruled the empire during its peak and the beginning of its subsequent decline. In the center of the coin is the Sun Stone found in Mexico City among the remains of the capital city of Tenochtitlan. From the depressed center, the mintage cascades up towards the edge of the coin and contains a compact grid of designs and symbols drawn from Aztec culture. The circle includes the anniversary "500 YEARS" at the top and the year of issue "2021" at the bottom edge.
Moctezuma II (or Montezuma II) was the ruler of the Aztec Empire from 1502 to 1520. It consisted of city-states scattered over a vast territory of Central America extending from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The centre of power and the seat of the ruler was the capital Tenochtitlán. Opinions about the person of the ruler vary considerably. He is described as a valiant warrior and commander, but also as a weak and naive leader.
The Spanish invasion under Hernán Cotres began in 1519 and caused the collapse of the Aztec Empire two and a half years later. The inhabitants were decimated by both Spanish troops and the introduction of smallpox. When the Spaniards arrived at the gates of the capital, they were greeted magnificently. Cortés himself was regarded as a god who, according to prophecy, had returned to his city. The true intentions of the conquering army soon became apparent. The Spaniards tricked Moctezuma II into accepting defeat and submission to the Spanish king.
In June 1520, an uprising against the Spanish broke out in the city. The collaborating ruler Moctezuma II was murdered by his own people and the foreign army was forced to withdraw from the city. Two other rulers ascended the throne shortly afterwards in an attempt to reverse the fate of the Aztecs. Cuitláhuac fought Cortés, but died of smallpox after four months. The last Aztec ruler was Cuauhtémoc. However, the possible restoration of the Aztec empire was thwarted by another conquest of the city in August 1521. Cortés destroyed the city and built the foundations of the present capital of Mexico on its ruins.

The obverse shows the national emblem of Samoa below Ian-Rank Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the initials 'IRB' and the inscriptions 'SAMOA', weight, purity and denomination.

The coin comes in its original gift box with a certificate of authenticity in a limited edition of only 199 pieces for the entire world!