World Heritage Altar Cross. Country Niue Year 2014 Face Value 5 Dollars Metal Silver Fineness. 9999 Weight 1 Oz (31,1g) Dimensions 27 x 77 mm Thickness 2.44 mm Edge Flat Mintage 999 pcs. This engraved fourteenth-century altar cross is believed to be of Catalan or Aragonese origin. It is decorated with four enamelled copper plaques. The central one shows a floating Christ with arms outstretched as if on the cross, against a blue sky studded with thirty-three stars, one for each of Christ’s years on earth. The plaque to the left depicts the Virgin Mary, the one above an angel and the one below Adam rising from Golgotha (the hill on which Christ was nailed to the Cross). The right-hand plaque, which unfortunately is missing, would have shown St John the Evangelist. The plaques were made using the champlevé technique, where the goldsmith engraves the design into copper and lays powdered coloured glass into the grooves. This fuses with the metal when fired and is then gilded with a mercury-gold solution. The cross has been in the British Museum’s collection since 1895, but the central plaque of Christ has only recently been restored to its original setting. The plaque eventually became part of the Keir Collection, owned by London-based collector Edmund de Unger. While on loan to the British Museum in 1981 for a temporary display its connection to the altar cross was realised. Mr de Unger’s generosity in donating the plaque to the Museum in 2003 led to a rare and exciting reunion between the two objects. The reverse captures the centrepiece of the altar cross. It shows a floating Christ (in high relief) with arms outstretched as if on the cross, against a blue sky studded with thirty-three stars, one for each of Christ’s years on earth. The silver coin is gilded and lacquered. Due to the holes in the coin, it can be worn as a necklace as well. The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the year of issue and the denomination of the coin. The World Heritage – Altar Cross silver coin is packaged inside an elegant, red wooden box. It is in a beautiful case, which is doing a great job in staging the remarkable coin. The Certificate of Authenticity is displayed on the inner packaging and matches the number on the coin. Partially plated with 24ct gold. Each coin is individually numbered. Very low mintage – limited to only 999 pieces. Comes with capsule, numbered certificate of authenticity and a superb wooden presentation case. Great gift and wonderful addition for your collection! We strive for excellent service. Though we normally reply to inquiries as soon as possible, please note that our office is limited on weekends and holidays. Auctiva offers Free Image Hosting and Editing. Auctiva gets you noticed! Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter. The item “Niue 2015 $2 World Heritage Altar Cross 1 Oz Gold Gilded Silver Coin” is in sale since Wednesday, November 11, 2020. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ World\Australia & Oceania\Other Oceania Coins”. The seller is “preciouscoins” and is located in Berlin. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Certification: PCCB