The Timbuktu-landed Chergach is the latest impact meteorite adorned coin from CIT

After enjoying a flurry of releases over the last few years, the number of meteorite coins has lessened recently. It’s fitting that a series that spawned the genre continues on and maintains a standard reached by few others. Coin Invest Trust launched their first meteorite-adorned coin back in 2004 and the coin we’re looking at here is the thirteenth issue to date and one very much in vein with last years Tamdakht coin.

The coins have increased in complexity over the years, culminating in one that is rimless, concave, gilded and overstruck. Although weighing just half an ounce, the coin manages to spread to a diameter of 38.61 mm, quite a feat given the three-dimensionality of the coin. The reverse face is designed to simulate a meteorite impact and does this with a concave representation of a crater, in the centre of which is an overstruck hole which can be see on the obverse. The hole looks torn through as you would expect from a violent impact; a nice touch instead of just a neatly drilled hole, especially as each of these will be subtley different. A meteorite fragment, in this case from the circa 100 kg mass that struck Mali in 2007, is mounted to the reverse face.

The whole coin is gilded – cleanly on the obverse, but weathered on the main face, something that adds depth and realism to the design. There is a title inscription on the reverse, but it’s finished to match the coin and is very unobtrusive. The obverse has a small effigy of Queen Elizabeth II to one side along with all the required inscriptions, also following the rim.

The coin is presented in one of the round tins that CIT have used in previous years and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Every single one of the previous issues has sold out from CIT, so we’d imagine that the 2,500 mintage will no doubt go again in fairly short order. The best in the series so far and a coin that even at €100-120, is more affordable than most in this genre that are generally more expensive than the norm because of the meteorite fragment attached, many of which are quite expensive in their oiwn right. Available in November, although pre-orders are up now at many dealers, including our sponsors.

2017 CHERGACH METEORITE SILVER COIN

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Developing a successor of the highly innovative Tamdakht Meteorite coin of 2016 was no easy task. The resulting Chergach Meteorite coin is a stunning progression of the breakthrough technology with an enhanced concave deformity and cracks. The gilded fnish is reminiscent of the Sahara Desert, where the chondrite meteorite was found ten years ago in July 2007 near Timbuktu. Naturally, a fragment of the actual meteorite rests in the crater depression.

SPECIFICATION

NAME 2017 CHERGACH METEORITE
DENOMINATION $2 Cook Islands
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 15.55 grams
DIAMETER 38.61 mm
FINISH Gilded
MODIFICATIONS Impacted strike
MINTAGE 2,500
BOX / COA Yes / Yes