Another new series debuts from Numiscollect this week and it’s one firmly centred around the insert. Struck in two ounces of fine silver, the series is called Famous Diamonds, which pretty much encapsulates the theme perfectly. The signature feature of the coin is a crystal replica of one of the worlds great cut diamond stones, in this case the daddy of them all, the Great Star of Africa.

This huge diamond was cut from the largest gem-quality stone ever found, an incredible lump at 3106.75 carats (621.35 g, 1.37 lb) and 10.5 cm (4.1″) in length. Amazingly, it’s considered possible this was a piece of an even larger diamond, but the other half has not been discovered. At 530.4 carats, it remains the largest polished white diamond in the world and was only overtaken  in 1985 by the Golden Jubilee Diamond, ironically found at the same Premier Mine in South Africa as the Great Star. Also called the Cullinan I as there were actually nine large gems and countless small ones cut from the original raw diamond, it’s currently mounted in the head of the Sceptre with the Cross, and along with he Cullinan II, the fourth largest polished diamond in the world, is integrated into the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

The coins reverse itself is a complex design depicting, we think, Sir Fred Wells on the left who discovered the diamond on a walk around the mine. On the right in a cameo is the monarch who was presented with the Cullinan, Edward VII. The background is filled with pins of light representing the way a diamond sparkles, along with a map of Africa with South Africa raised slightly as the country of origin. At the top is an inscription giving the series name and the coin subject. At the bottom is the diamonds weight. In the centre sits  a large crystal replica of the Great Star of Africa. The obverse carries the usual effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, this one the popular Ian Rank Broadley effort.

Shipping in late September to early October, the coin comes boxed and with a certificate of authenticity. Mintage is limited to just 999 pieces. Price will be know soon.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The start of a new unique series with a new technology dedicated to the great diamonds our world is rich. The Great Star of Africa is the biggest and most famous one. A replica inserted into a 2oz pure .999 silver coin.

Cullinan I is a 530.2-carat, pear cut diamond and the largest of the Cullinan diamonds. It is also known as the Great Star of Africa, and was set in the head of the Sceptre with the Cross which was reworked for this purpose. It may also be hung as the pendant, on its own or from Cullinan II in a brooch. For this purpose the diamonds have both been fitted with two tiny platinum loops on the edges.

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SPECIFICATION