New directly from the Mint Genuine 100% Authentic
1 oz Silver Coin 2015 $2 World Heritage - Altar Cross High Relief PAMP 999 Made
This engraved fourteenth-century altar cross is believed to
be of Catalan or Aragonese origin. It is decorated with four enameled copper
plaques. The central one shows a floating Christ with arms outstretched as if
on the cross, against a blue sky studded with thirty-three stars, one for each
of Christ's years on earth. The plaque to the left depicts the Virgin Mary, the
one above an angel and the one below Adam rising from Golgotha (the hill on
which Christ was nailed to the Cross). The right-hand plaque, which
unfortunately is missing, would have shown St John the Evangelist. The plaques
were made using the champlevé technique, where the goldsmith engraves the
design into copper and lays powdered colored glass into the grooves. This fuses
with the metal when fired and is then gilded with a mercury-gold solution. The
cross has been in the British Museum's collection since 1895, but the central
plaque of Christ has only recently been restored to its original setting. In
the nineteenth century many fine religious objects were broken up and pieces
such as this were sold to satisfy the demand for small enamels to display in
cabinets. The plaque eventually became part of the Keir Collection, owned by
London-based collector Edmund de Unger. While on loan to the British Museum in
1981 for a temporary display its connection to the altar cross was realized. Mr
de Unger's generosity in donating the plaque to the Museum in 2003 led to a
rare and exciting reunion between the two objects.
Reverse Design
The reverse captures the centerpiece of the altar cross. It
shows a floating Christ (in high relief) with arms outstretched as if on the
cross, against a blue sky studded with thirty-three stars, one for each of
Christ's years on earth. The silver coin is gilded and lacquered. Due to the holes
in the coin, it can be worn as a necklace as well. A true masterpiece!
Unique design and Limited Edition.
Face Value: $2
Weight: 31.1g / 1 oz
Metal: Silver
Fineness: .999
Diameter: 40X47mm
Mintage: 999 pcs Limited Edition
Finish: BU
Certificate: Yes
Presentation Case: Yes
Country: Niue
Year: 2015
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