Silver Coin Historical Instruments - Astrolabe 2 Oz High Relief 2023 Antique Standard

Historic Instruments - Astrolabe 2 Oz

An exclusive silver coin issued by the State of Cook Islands for 2023 weighing 2 Oz (62.2 g) in purity of the purest 99.9% silver with an Antique standard finish is released as part of the Historic Instruments series. The astrolabe was chosen for the inaugural coin in the series and has become an indispensable tool for astronomers, astrologers and navigators.

The reverse side of the coin features a stunning replica of the Persian astrolabe using high relief, combining the functionality and aesthetics of the ancient artifact. The circular plate, divided around its circumference by 360° die cuts, contains an astronomical map converted into a flat disc with the designations of the celestial bodies. Circles projecting the starry sky are attached to the disc. The straight arm determined the angular height of the stars. By focusing the position of solid bodies in the sky, it was used to measure time as the Earth rotated. The name "ASTROLABE" is inscribed in the coin's design and the year of issue "2023" at the bottom edge of the coin.
The name astrolabe is derived from the Greek word astrolabon, which describes the purpose of measuring the stars. The origins of the device go back to advanced ancient Greece and the ingenious idea is attributed to the mathematician Hipparchus, who lived in the 2nd century BC. Measuring time using the astrolabe spread further to the Arab world and then to medieval Europe. Simplified astrolabes found applications in navigation at sea and on land. Both Christopher Columbus and Fernão de Magalhães relied on them on their ocean voyages.

The obverse of the coin thematically outlines the groundbreaking inventions that served people in their everyday lives, but were also crucial in the discovery of new continents and distant stars. The motif is complemented by the name of the series "HISTORIC INSTRUMENTS". It includes a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the initials of the artist Ian Rank-Broadley, the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II", "COOK ISLANDS" and the denomination.

The coin comes in a presentation frame with a certificate of authenticity in a limited edition of only 1,500 pieces for the whole world!