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Gibraltar
Flower Coin Series
The
Gibraltar Government released a series of coins depicting a different
beautiful flowers. These
coins are all made of CuNi (Cupro-Nickel) in a Brilliant Uncirculated
minting, which gives them amazingly fine detail on the shiny finish.
All coins are approximately 38 mm in diameter. The reverses of
all coins feature an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Each individual coin is beautifully packaged.
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1996
Cupro Nickel Gibraltar Rose Coin |
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$14.95
Each
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Roses are among the oldest of
cultivated flowers, with the first known to have grown in Asian
gardens 5,000 years ago. In its untamed form the flower goes back
even further; fossils of wild roses date back 35 million years.
The ancients explained the beauty of the rose through myths of
godly creation. The Greek goddess Chloris stumbled upon a
beautiful dead nymph and turned her into a flower; Aphrodite added
beauty; the three graces added brilliance, joy, and charm.
Dionysious donated fragrant nectar, while Zephyrus the west wind
blew away the clouds so Apollo could shower the rose in sun. The
flower was then given to Eros, the deity of love, and named the
"Queen of Flowers." The Romans had their own ideas on
the rose's origin. According to their legend, many suitors were
lined up to marry a beautiful woman named Rodanthe, but she had
little interest in any of them. These men were so full of love and
desire that they became rowdy and eventually broke down the doors
to her house. This episode angered the goddess Diana, who turned
the woman into a flower and her suitors into thorns to teach them
a lesson. Whatever its origin, the rose is undeniably the
best-known symbol of beauty and love.
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1997
Cupro Nickel Gibraltar Peonies Coin |
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$14.95
Each
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The peony is native to many parts of
Europe and was first brought to England by the Roman legions about
the year 1200. In England, the red-flowered peony was said to glow
in the dark (some varieties do have phosphorescent qualities) and
was often planted beside doorways to ward off evil spirits.
It was described in botanical books as early as 1636 and was soon
considered so tolerant of neglect that the rich thought it
"vulgar" and left it to flourish in the cottage gardens
of the peasantry. Other species originated in China, where
as early as 1596 at least 30 varieties were listed in nursery
catalogues. A French missionary stationed in China, Pere Delevay,
introduced some of these to Europe in the 1800s.
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1998
Cupro Nickel Chrysanthemum Coin |
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$14.95
Each
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The last coin displays the ever
popular Chrysanthemum, cultivated for over 2000 years in the Far
East, but only introduced in England just over 200 years
ago. Japan has mad a national emblem of this beautiful
blossom. |
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