Cook Islands – 2022 – 20 Dollars – Gilded – Bactrian Cybele Disk

Description

The ‘Bactrian Cybele Disk’ coin is the 7th issue in the ‘Archeology & Symbolism’ series. We take the relief even further with enhanced Smartminting©️ technology which brings the 2200 year old disk to life. The coin has an antique or silk finish and is struck on a huge 3 oz pure .999 silver 65mm blank in the highest quality possible. It has a limited mintage of only 333 pcs antiqued (of which 99 are partially gilded as the original Bactrian disk) and 99 gilded pcs worldwide. The coin comes in a beautiful box with a Certificate of Authenticity. Get the 7th edition of this series now at your local modern coin dealer before it gets sold out as all previous issues did.

Coin description

The reverse of the coin depicts the Bactrian Cybele disk in ultra high relief with all its characteristics including the cracks and dents how archaeologists found it. Around the disc are various Bactrian carvings and sculptures also found at the place of the old Bactrian Kingdom. The background is filled with ancient Greco-Bactrian writings. On the edge are the inscriptions: “Cybele and Nike Disk” (the name) and “2021” (the year of issue) and “Ai Khanoum” the place it was found. It has ultra-high relief and interesting small details of the original disk and other finds from the Bactrian Kingdom.

The obverse side of the coin depicts the Coat of Arms of the Cook Island in a special appearance with the inscriptions: “ELIZABETH II” (name of the Queen), “COOK ISLANDS” (the issuing country), “ARCHEOLOGY & SYMBOLISM” (the name of the series) and “20 DOLLARS” (the face value).

Background information

The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was a kingdom in central Asia. It lasted from approximate the mid-3^rd century BC until the 1^st century BC. Its most important cities were Ai-Khanoum and Bactria, founded by Alexander the Great. Both cities were located on important trade routes towards Asia both through lowlands and the mountains. The area flourished and much sophisticated temples, buildings and artifacts where made. One, the Bactrian Disk, was found in Ai-Khanoum.

The Bactrian Disk depicts and images of the goddess Cybele in her chariot drawn by lions towards a sacrifice. She was believed to be the mother of the mountains. Her roots are from the area of the Bactrian Kingdom from where Greek explorers brought her stories back and incorporated it into Greek culture. The disk or plaque is from the 2^nd century BC, measures 25 cm in diameter and is partially gilded. The disk is now in the national museum in Kabul.