2022 $5 Barbados 'Endangered Blue Marble Earth with Real Meteorite' - Pure Silver (3 Ounces) + Rose Gold-Plated Land features + Translucent Blue Enamel Oceans / Seas - 3D Spherical Coin - Very Low Mintage / Rare - Uncirculated (UNC) - MDM
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DESCRIPTION:
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This is an absolutely STUNNING Spherical 2022 $5 '3oz Pure Silver Spherical coin' represents the 'Endangered Blue Marble' Earth with a 'Meteorite hitting the Pacific Ocean'. This contains a GENUINE 'Chondrite meteorite piece' (from the 'Sahara Desert') which has been 'embedded' in the sphere.
This 'Special Release' has 'ROSE-GOLD Plating of the Continents' and deep rich hand-applied 'Translucent Blue Enamel' for the Oceans and Seas.
Specialist minting and colouring techniques have been used to create the shape, along with detailed high relief profile to ensure that our planet is brought to life in a spectacular way.
The 'Barbados Coat of Arms' was applied through a highly innovative “Water Transfer Print” and appears 'in place of Antarctica' at the base of the Sphere. Inscription details:
* "BARBADOS" - the issuing country
* "2022" - the year of issue
* "3 Oz" - the weight of the coin
* "5 DOLLARS" - the face value
* "Ag999" - the fineness of Silver (99.9%)
This beautiful coin comes in a luxury 'Transparent Square display case' and the coin appears to 'float' on top of a deep-black high-gloss support base.
SUMMARY:
* Sphere-shaped coin struck from 3oz of pure 99.9% SILVER
* Features a GENUINE Chondrite Meteorite!
* Finished in real ROSE GOLD & Ocean-blue enamel
* Official Barbados legal tender - 50mm diameter
* Presented in a transparent display case - marvel at every detail!
* A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) accompanies the coin which comes safely stored in a protective Box
There is a VERY limited worldwide mintage of only 999 coins.
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BACKGROUND:
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*** Chondrite Meteorite classification ***
A chondrite is a stony (mainly non-metallic) meteorite that has not been modified, by either melting or differentiation of the parent body.
They are characterized by the presence of 'Chondrules' which are roughly spherical inclusions, typically hundreds of micrometres to a few millimetres in size. They are made up of silicates, metal, and sulfide, and they appear to have originally formed as molten droplets at high temperatures in the early solar nebula. The chondrules are set in a fine-grained matrix that binds them together.
Chondrites are the most abundant meteorite class, constituting more than 85 percent of meteorite falls. Like most meteorites, chondrites originated in the asteroid belt where collisions and gravitational perturbations put them into Earth-crossing orbits.
*** MINTING ***
Released on behalf of Barbados, an independent British Commonwealth nation located in the eastern Caribbean, this is a Legal-tender $5 coin.
The 'spherical Blue Marble' coin series were struck for Barbados by 'Münzhandelsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG' (MDM). MDM is a German-based coin wholesaler headquartered in Braunschweig who have produced very high quality sought-after coins.
*** OTHER ***
There are apparently 'two versions' of this 2022 Release:
1) A standard 'Silver Continents' release, and
2) This 'Rose-Gold Plated Continents' release.
It is unclear what circumstances brought about the varying releases? Apart from the obvious 'colour difference' of the continents, the only other known difference is that the coin weights vary very slightly (probably due to the varying precious metal content).
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DETAILS:
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Year: 2022
Denomination: $5 (Barbados)
Mass: 93.3 grams (3 troy oz.)
Shape: Spherical (50 mm)
Metal: Silver (.999) + 24K Rose-Gold Plating (of Land Features, etc)
Finish: Uncirculated (Silver Coin with Rose-Gold Plating + Rich Blue Enamel features)
Obverse: Barbados Coat of Arms
Mintage: 999
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PHYSICAL CONDITION:
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Excellent, new 'As-Issued' Condition
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INCLUSIONS:
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* 1 x 2022 $5 Barbados 'Endangered Blue Marble' Earth with Real Chondrite Meteorite': 3oz (Pure Silver) + Rose Gold-Plated 'Spherical Coin'
* Luxury Display Case (Black Base / Transparent Acrylic Top + Sides)
* Protective 'Travel / Storage Box' (White)
* Certificate of Authenticity (COA) / Information Card (Note: These do not come with individual numbers)
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POSTAGE & OTHER INFO:
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Sent via 'Tracked post' in an envelope / satchel / box (usually via Australia Post).
I am happy to combine postage... Please check out my other items and contact me before payment so I can send an invoice with discounted postage (where relevant).
Insurance is extra and is generally RECOMMENDED. For insurance please select the second postage option (when stated) so I can allocate funds appropriately. Please understand that the seller cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged items.
Please be advised that I don't usually post large items to 'PO Boxes' (due to the chance of some parcels being rejected by the Post Office and returned to me). However, if you require the use of a PO Box then please message me.
INTERNATIONAL BUYERS:
If an International postage option is not shown, please message me before bidding/buying and I will confirm if I can post to you and estimate the cost.
International items will usually be sent 'Standard' or 'Economy Air' (as Registered or Tracked mail). Please advise if you have time-sensitive requirements and I will endeavor to assist you where possible. Again, it is important to message me prior to purchasing so I can best assist you (and provide a more accurate quote).
Import duties, taxes, and charges aren't included in the item price or postage cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
PHOTOS:
In some cases photo's are taken THROUGH protective plastic covers, so some marks/reflections are not always indicative of the item's actual condition.
ALL effort is made to best represent the item with quality photo's or stock images. But please understand that colours, lighting, reflections or sizing / scale may not seem (or be) entirely accurate. Consider the photo's a 'representation' of the item.
CANCELLATIONS / FEES:
Order cancellations are permitted before the item is sent, but there is a 10% restocking fee for 'preparation/handling' plus any 'postage' amounts that cannot be recovered (for example: 'Tracked postage envelopes' cannot be reused, therefore the cost needs to be recovered from the buyer).
Please take the time to check the Item Description and Photo's before purchase.
PERSONAL OPINIONS:
It's always the aim to provide 'factual information' which is 'up-to-date' at the time of the Original Listing. Some 'Personal Opinions' may also be expressed in 'Item description' details (etc). Additional research is generally encouraged prior to any purchase.
Thank-you.