Silver Investment Coin Equilibrium Tokelau 1 Oz 2019

Equilibrium 2019

The silver investment coin issued by the island state of Tokelau and minted by the Bratislava Mint Pressburg Mint in 2019 in purity of the purest 99.9% silver with a weight of 1 Oz (31.3 g) is the second coin of the Equilibrium series, which presents a motif elaborated on the theme of harmony and balance in the field of genetic engineering. This series presents ideas of harmony between technology and nature, civilization and the environment, money and time, work and rest, and artificial and human intelligence.

On its reverse side, the coin expresses the delicate balance of genetic modification in the form of a butterfly. Its body is made up of a double helix of DNA and its head is a traditional symbol of Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang. The butterfly's wings as negative and positive represent the opposing forces of balance. The effect was achieved by combining a glossy and matt finish. The pattern decorating the wings is based on the tree of life. The twisted branches conceal further symbols of Yin and Yang. A transcription of genetic information is recorded on the background of the coin. The motif includes the inscription "EQUILIBRIUM" and the year of issue "2019".
Scientists around the world are using genetic modification to cure diseases, modify the characteristics of plants and animals. There are even proposals to genetically enhance humans. These technologies have the potential to revolutionise medicine, end starvation, save endangered species or even change the colour of butterfly wings. It is a hope that also poses a great danger of irreversible damage to the health of future generations. It opens the door to new forms of social inequality, discrimination and conflict.
The first editing of the human genome was announced in November 2018 by Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui. According to unverified information, two children were born from the edited embryos. The whole event provoked negative reactions among experts, the scientist was accused of unethical experiments and violation of the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights.

The obverse bears a portrait of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II by Ian-Rank Broadley, the artist's initials and the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II" and "TOKELAU". The rim of the coin is decorated with two braided DNA helices, which add weight and purity information and the face value.