Heliocentrism, the theory that the Earth and the other planets revolve around the sun at the centre of the solar system, is taken for granted today as an observable fact of life. It wasn’t always that way and for centuries it was believed that the Earth was at the centre and the sun orbited around it. In the early 16th century, Renaissance mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic cleric Nicolaus Copernicus published a geometric mathematical model of a heliocentric system, later refined by such greats as Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei. Now 500 years later, a new and very limited silver coin has been released to celebrate the half-millienium since Copernicus first put forward his theories.

The coin is an unusual mix of features not seen before. It’s 500g in weight, a gram for every year, oval in shape, selectively coloured and with 26 multicoloured embedded Swarovski crystals embedded within one side. It’s also pretty huge at 135mm (over 5″) across. The mintage is limited to just 99 pieces, making this a very rare look at one of history’s true intellectual giants. As you’d expect at this level, the coin is supplied in a coin box, although we haven’t seen images of any coloured shipper to hold it all. Clearly, prices are not at the bottom end of the market and selling prices we’ve seen range from €1050 up to $1500 USD. It is a fair chunk of change, but there’s a lot of work invested in this one and only 99 units to be had, so value is better than you think. Available to order now, Numiscollect seem to be cheapest but if you see it cheaper, please let us know in the comments. Available to order now.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

REVERSE: In the center of the coin the famous portrait of the Nicolaus Copernicus from the Townhall in Torun (Poland) on the background of the manuscript of “De revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium” – a work in which the famous astronomer laid out his theory. Near the portrait there is a bunch of lilies of the valley – medieval symbol of medicine and science, often placed at the portraits of Nicolaus Copernicus. Under the portrait of the great astronomer there is his signature and the number of years that have passed since the creation of the heliocentric theory. Among the handwritten notes a model of the solar system drawn by Copernicus. Planets are marked with multicolored Swarovski crystals. On the left-hand side a symbolic representation of the heliocentric theory. In the center an astronomical symbol of the sun, on the circle around the sun symbol of Earth and Moon. On the right-hand side the facade of Copernicus house. Inscriptions “500” (500 years since the foundation of the heliocentric theory) and the hallmark ” Ag999.9 “.

OBVERSE: In the center of the coin an image of the then -known solar system representing the heliocentric theory. Respectively revolve around the Sun , Mercury , Venus, Earth, Mars , Jupiter and Saturn. Sun and planets are pad printed. On the left there is the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, on the right – the armillary sphere, also known as spherical astrolabe – astronomical instrument used by Nicolaus Copernicus. Around the coin there are inscriptions “Elizabeth II “, “Niue “, “2015” and “Fifty dollars”.In the centre effigy of the Queen Elizabeth II.

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SPECIFICATION