2015 Niue Silver $5 - Journeys of Discovery - Christopher Columbus - with a Mega Rare Antique Finish - PF 69 Antiqued - NGC Coin - with a very rare Blue Early Releases Label - with the Original Government Packaging - MINTAGE = 2,000  !!!!!  POPULATION = 18  !!!!!  VERY RARE COIN  !!!!!

ONLY TWO COINS ARE CERTIFIED HIGHER - EXTREMELY RARE COIN AND PACKAGING SET  !!!!

The Coin - an exceptionally rare 2015 Niue Silver $5 - Journeys of Discovery - Christopher Columbus - with Antique Finish and High Relief Design - Coin and Packaging Set - this coin contains very special design - antiqued, high relief, 2 oz silver coin and is in a very high grade - PF 69 ANTIQUED (PF is Proof Finish). Furthermore, this coin has been designated as Early Releases by Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC) - which means that this coin was sent to NGC for grading in the first 30 days of its release. Additionally, a super rare Early Releases Label from NGC is present on this coin. This exquisite coin contains detailed engraving and the use of high relief on the entire obverse creates a dazzling image for the ages.

This amazing pure silver coin marks the second release in the new Journeys of Discovery Coin Collection and celebrates exploration and discovery of the unknown. This series continues with the amazing traveler, Christopher Columbus, the Genoese explorer and navigator who discovered America. This collection of coins features the most well-known and memorable explorers of their time and includes - Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, Vasco Da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, Charles Darwin, and David Livingstone. All coins in this series are designed in the high relief format along with the incredible antique finish which gives these coins a feel for the old times of exploration and discovery.

This coin is very unique in that it has Antique Finish along with High Relief Design embedded on the obverse of the coin along with the fact that this coin is designed in 2 oz of pure .999 silver, while being issued as legal tender under the Government of Niue this coin is meticulously struck by the New Zealand Mint in amazing quality. Furthermore, this beautifully depicted - Journeys of Discovery - Christopher Columbus - with Antique Finish and High Relief Design coin - in a three-dimensional antique finish with a matte background on a stunning pure silver coin is minted from .999-fine silver and is limited to a worldwide mintage of just 2,000 coins, and this example has been graded a very high grade of PF 69 ANTIQUED, the second highest possible grade from NGC !!!

This amazing 99,99% pure silver coin features multiple technologies to bring out the stunning beauty of the Journeys of Discovery - Christopher Columbus coin struck in the incredible antique finish with the incredible high relief design. This coin is housed in a special thick NGC holder because of its substantial thickness as the coin is troy ounces of pure silverThis coin presents a rare opportunity to view superb engraving skills of the New Zealand Mint. The use of multiple finishes for this latest coin series provides an added depth and further showcase the combined craftsmanship and artistry that have produced this stunning coin design.

The Obverse depicts the design that includes the beautiful fully engraved, high-relief coin with an antique finish. The illustration shows Christopher Columbus standing on the shores of America with his ship in the background. The inscription - CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS - encircles this coin at the top right side. The amount and purity of silver - 2 oz 999 FINE SILVER - is located at the bottom of this coin. The most interesting aspect about this design however, is the antiqued finish with a high relief design of this coin and that makes this coin a unique masterpiece. This is a stunning design of engraving artistry and fantastic art work like no other.

The Reverse contains the profile of Queen Elizabeth II with the country of origin - NIUE - located at the top of this design and the denomination - FIVE DOLLARS - depicted on the right side of this design. The year-date - 2015 - is present at the bottom of this coin.

The Edge for this coin is serrated. Additionally, a very rare label - Blue Early Releases Label from NGC is present. The NGC label provides further guarantee of the coin's weight, purity, and overall quality - adding a factor of collectability to this unique coin.

Extra Bonus Packaging - included with this super rare coin is the Original Government Packaging (OGP) - this coin comes with the presentation packaging like no other - the amazing themed timber treasure chest - deluxe presentation box with the protective draw string sack modeled on those used to transport materials to trade around the globe on great Journeys of Discovery throughout history.

Additionally, this packaging contains individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity (the certificate is entirely in English - the official language of Niue). The Certificate of Authenticity states that the authority of the Government of the Niue certifies that this coin is legal tender of Niue and is guaranteed to match the standards of fineness and weight set down in the specification. All of this makes this coin and packaging an ideal gift for any coin collector and is a truly magnificent work of art !!!

The Story - Explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus (1451 - 1506) was born in Genoa, Italy. Under the patronage of the Spanish royal family, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. These efforts established permanent settlements and initiated Spanish colonization of the New World. Through this, Columbus has been credited as opening up the Americas to European trade. With economic competition between European kingdoms on the rise, Columbus proposed to reach the East Indies by sailing westward. This daring plan was seen as a chance to establish new trade routes with Asia. In August of 1492, after 36 days of sailing, Columbus set foot on an island in the modern day Bahamas, rather than Japan as he had originally intended.

Returning to Spain a year later, Columbus gave a glowing, though somewhat exaggerated report and was warmly received by the Spanish court. Over the course of three more voyages, he visited the Greater and Lesser Antilles, as well as the Caribbean coast of Venezuela and Central America, claiming them for the Spanish Empire. Though we now believe Columbus was not the first European explorer to reach the Americas, his voyages generated lasting European contact with the New World. This inaugurated a period of European exploration, conquest, trade and colonization that was to last for centuries.

In what has become known as the "Columbian Exchange", these expeditions set in motion a widespread transfer on a global scale. Foods from the Americas such as potatoes, tomatoes and corn became staples within Europe, while wheat from Europe became a main food source for people in the Americas. Life would never be the same again.

Rare - This coin and original government packaging set is of extreme unbelievable rarity due to its limited low worldwide mintage of just 2,000 coins and its super high popularity due to the subject matter being Journeys of Discovery - Christopher Columbus. Additionally this coin and packaging set being the second highest possible and mega rare grade of PF 69 ANTIQUED and Population = 18 with the super rare antique finish and with an high relief design of this coin along with the original government packaging and the Certificate of Authenticity for this coin and the super popular and rare Blue Early Releases Label from NGC - all together makes this coin and packaging set of ULTIMATE SUPER RARITY !!!

This coin seldom appears for sale on the open market and of supreme rarity in such a high grade - hence forth the ultimately low population. Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC) has graded this coin PF 69 ANTIQUED (PF is Proof Finish). Certified at Proof 69 Antiqued grade, the Numismatic Guaranty Company guarantees this grade at five times the magnification. The Authenticity and The Grade of this coin are guaranteed !!!

Population = 18 - the population of this coin as of August 25, 2016 - and there will be no increase in this population due to the fact that this coin is designated Early Releases by NGC and the 30-day release period of this coin has long expired !!! This is an extremely limited and extremely rare coin and packaging set !!!

Technical Specifications for This Coin:

Composition:                        Pure Silver
Obverse Finish:                    Antiqued High Relief
Reverse Finish:                    Antiqued
Fineness:                              0.999 = 99.9%

Weight:                                 62.20 grams
Diameter:                             40.00 millimeters
Shape:                                  Round
Alignment:                            Medal Alignment

Legal Tender:                      Niue Legal Tender
Original Packaging:            Timber Treasure Chest Presentation Box
Original Packaging:            Certificate of Authenticity, Draw String Sack
Monetary Denomination:    $5 Niue

ASW:                                    2 Troy Ounces
Mint Facility:                         New Zealand Mint
Country of Origin:                Niue
Mintage:                               2,000
Year of Issue:                       2015

Shipping Information - Free Shipping is offered for this item, within the continental United StatesShipping Method is via USPS Priority Mail - Flat Rate Box - reason for this is due to the size of the original government packaging box which does not fit into a small box as well as the NGC coin and the packing material creates a decent size package. International shipping is done only through the Global Shipping Program. Additionally, I DO NOT SHIP TO RUSSIA OR ANY OTHER FORMER REPUBLIC OF THE USSR !!!