New Zealand 2012 1 OZ Silver Proof Coin Maori Art Hei Matau

  

2012 Maori Art - Hei Matau Silver Proof Coin. The 1 troy oz silver proof hei matau coin is a stunning piece of Maori history and culture, as well as the world's first coin issue to have pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) set into the design. The hei matau depicted on the 2012 Maori Art coin was hand-carved by renowned Rotorua Maori artist, Lewis Gardiner. The piece was especially commissioned for the 60 cent stamp in New Zealand Post's 2011 Matariki stamp issue, and represents an outstanding example of modern hei matau design. The significance of the hei matau and its associations with navigation, abundance of seafood, mana and knowledge are reflected in the themes of the coin design.

The raised pattern on the coin behind the hei matau is based on a traditional Maori kowhaiwhai (frieze) pattern called'koiri' (to sway/bend) combined with the traditional whakairo (woodcarving) pattern unaunahi (fish scales). Koiri suggests the swaying of seaweed and the changeable nature of the wind, while unaunahi suggests the movement of shoals of fish. The combination of designs gives rise to the image of a fishing waka (canoe) traversing the ocean's waves and currents.

Set to the right of the hei matau is a round cabochon of pounamu. Pounamu is a taonga (treasure) held in high esteem by Maori, and the export of pounamu from New Zealand is restricted. The pounamu cabochon is symbolic of the moon, which governs the rise and fall of the tides in the realm of Tangaroa (god of the sea). The notches on the edge of the coin, some say, are the oldest type of carving recorded. The groups of two notches represent strength and abundance, while the groups of three notches refer to three stages of creation (epochs of time): Te Kore (the nothingness), Te Po (the darkness) and Te Ao Marama (the world of light).

For the first time, these New Zealand legal tender coins feature the face value of the coin in both English and Te Reo Maori (the Maori language). This stunning coin is presented within a black and red leatherette ipu (container) - colours that feature strongly in Maori mythology and art. The embossed pattern adorning the lid has been designed by Thomas Hansen. As on the coin, the traditional kowhaiwhai pattern combines the'koiri' design with a traditional whakairo (woodcarving) pattern called unaunahi. Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, Englan. Hei matau set against a traditional k. A piece of pounamu is set into the coin. New Zealand - 1995 - Silver Piedfort Proof Coin - Maori Art. New Zealand - 2013 - 1 OZ Silver Proof Coin - Maori Art - Koru. 2017- 1 OZ Silver Proof Coin- Legend of Taniwha - Maori Art. New Zealand - 2010 - 1 OZ Silver Proof Coin - Maori Art - Heitiki. New Zealand - 2012 - 1 OZ Silver Proof Coin - Maori Art Hei Matau.

And gold proof series coins. NZ -2013 - 1 OZ Gold Proof Coin- Maori Art - Legend of Koru. NZ -2012 - 1 OZ Gold Proof Coin- Maori Art - Hei Matau Gold Proof Coin. NZ -2014 - 1 OZ Gold Proof Coin- Maori Art -Papatuanuku and Ranginui. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Coins: World\Australia & Oceania\New Zealand".

The seller is "silvergoldbullion" and is located in this country: NZ. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Circulated/Uncirculated: proof
2. Composition: Silver
3. Certification: nzpost
4. Denomination: Dollar
5. Year: 2012