Mint XXI pays tribute to the Japanese celestial sun goddess, Amaterasu, with an elegant new coin

The next coin we’re looking at from Mint XXI’s World Money Fair release run is probably our favourite. The second in a series called ‘Divine Faces of the Sun’ it showcases the japanese Shinto goddess of the sun, Amaterasu. This is only the second time we’ve seen this deity on a coin, the first from Numiscollect coming just a couple of months ago, but we’re amazed why there aren’t more given the plethora of Euro-centric deities that have repeatedly shown up on collectible coins.

While Numiscollect chose to depict Amaterasu as a powerful cultural icon, oozing strength and Japanese style, Mint XXI have chosen to focus on her effexts on the world of nature, for she is also the goddess that gives life. Filled to the edge with gorgeous detail, the deity is depicted at one with nature, her mastery of the sun spreading life throughout the world. The gilding and amber for the sun works absolutely perfectly. The lack of intrusive inscriptions is also a huge plus, what is there minimal and well placed.

The obverse is a simple affair, just a typical Niue effigy of Queen Elizabeth II enhanced with a small patterned border. It’s three ounces in weight and antique finished, coming in a wooden box with a C.O.A., all in a themed shipper. Just 500 of these 55 mm diameter coins will be struck.

A simply gorgeous release and proof positive that the ancient cultures of countries like Japan, Korea, India and more, are filled with tales deserving of numismatic showcasing. Mint XXI have easily proven themselves as top tier, alongside others like CIT, Numiscollect, Mint of Poland, Art Mint and MDM, amongst others. That they’ve done so in such a short time, and so definitively, is a testament to the passion at the company. Check out some of their other releases and the first in the series, Amun-Ra. A great time to be a coin collector.

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION $5 NZD (Niue)
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 93.3 grams
DIMENSIONS 55.0 mm
FINISH Antique
MODIFICATIONS High-relief, Gilding, Amber insert
MINTAGE 500
BOX / C.O.A. Yes (wood) / Yes