Silver Coin 5 Oz Leaning Tower of Pisa Ultra High Relief 2022 Antique Standard

Leaning Tower of Pisa - Ultra High Relief - 5 oz

The unique silver coin issued by the Cook Islands State for 2022 is minted in the purest 99.9% silver and weighs 5 Oz (155.5 g) with an Antique Standard finish. Using ultra-high relief on both sides, the coin features the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The coin is being issued to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the completion of the building.

The reverse of the coin features an original depiction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa from the perspective of a visitor to the monument. The iconic tilt of the bell tower is supported by the flat lower edge of the coin, which indicates the plane. Using Smartminting technology, ultra-high relief is achieved, refined in remarkable detail. The sculpted Romanesque arches rise to the top of the bell tower. The western facade of the adjacent Cathedral of the Assumption is outlined against the background of the coin with the anniversary marking "650 YEARS". The rim of the coin states the name of the coin "LEANING TOWER OF PISA" and the years "1372 - 2022".
The Leaning Tower of Pisa belongs to the complex of buildings of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Pisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The construction of the bell tower in white marble on a circular plan began in 1173. Due to the soft ground, the tower began to lean after five years. The builders managed to straighten the slope, which was originally to the opposite side. As the construction of the other floors progressed, the tilt became apparent again and construction was stopped. Work resumed after 90 years and the new floors were constructed to compensate for the persistent tilt. It was completed with the addition of a bell tower at the top of the seventh floor in 1372. The highest point of the leaning tower reaches 56.86 m. The slope was stabilised at nearly 4 metres after the lead counterweights were fixed and the soil removed from the subsoil, corresponding to the situation in 1838.

The obverse of the coin, using Smartminting technology in ultra-high relief, depicts the same precise treatment of the Leaning Tower of Pisa from the rear view of the cathedral, from which part of the transept is visible on the right. Included is a coin portrait of Elizabeth II with the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II", "COOK ISLANDS" and the face value "25 DOLLARS".

The coin is supplied in a presentation frame along with a certificate of authenticity in a limited edition of only 650 pieces for the whole world!

Smartminting® is a revolutionary technology in the field of modern numismatics. The greatest advantage is the dramatic and unsurpassed heights of relief combined with intricate detail. High and ultra-high relief is possible on both sides of the coin, and the top of the relief can be placed as close to the edge as possible. However, the conventional embossing process not only requires more material (higher weight), but more importantly, the highest point must be concentrated in the center of the coin, which does not reach the same height as with Smartminting® technology. Another bonus of Smartminting® technology is the possibility of minting even in the highest Proof quality for coloured coins and, of course, the Antique Standard finish remains.

This product is part of the following product sets: