Palau – 2022 – 10 Dollars – Mnajdra Temple

Description

The ‘Mnajdra Temple’ coin is the first issue in a brand new concept series: ‘Equinox & Solstice’ series. Back in prehistoric times mankind was able to built structures that aligned with the sun at certain times of the year. Isn’t that intriguing? In this series we bring these times back to life using the enhanced Smartminting©️ technology with ultra high relief. It depicts both the ceremony with sunrays and the interior with a Swarovski® crystal representing the sun. It is struck on a 2 oz pure silver 45 mm blank in the highest antiqued quality. It has a limited mintage of only 555 pcs worldwide and comes in a beautiful box with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Coin description

The coin’s reverse depicts the Mnajdra Temple in Malta how it might have looked like 5000 years ago. In the front the temple complex in high relief with the equinox sunrays entering the temple. People are gathering in front of the temple to watch this event. In the background one can see a village with huts, livestock and more.

The coin’s obverse side depicts the interior of the Mnajdra Solar Temple. There are various artefacts around the entrance with the typical carved dots around the entrance. In the entrance, just above the horizon, a Swarovski® crystal is inserted representing the sun. Above the entrance the coat of arms with the inscriptions: “REPUBLIC OF PALAU” (the issuing country) and “10$” (the face value). On the floor the inscription “2022” (the issuing year).

Background information

Both equinox and solstice refer to an event when the sun appears at a certain point in relation to the equator. A solstice when the sun reaches it is most norther or southern point, annually around 21^st June and December. The equinox is when the center of the sun is exactly above the equator which is annually around 20 March and 23 September. These four events are often regarded as the start of the four seasons but are also used in various celebration dating back thousands of years.

Long before humankind knew about the solar system these alignments of the sun were used in culture. The megalithic temple complex of Mnajdra (in present Malta) is one complex where both during equinox and solstice the sun shines exactly into the temples. The Mnajdra temple is over five thousand years old and consists of three separate structures. The largest lower temple (on the right) is astronomically aligned. During the equinox it lights up the main axis but also during the solstices two megaliths on the right and left light up. An outstanding piece of architecture which we know little of. It is believed that it had a domed roof and was used for ceremonial events because objects were found inside. We might never know exactly!