2015 Journeys of Discovery Marco Polo 2 oz pure silver coin. VASCO DA GAMA – 2016 2 oz Pure Silver Coin. Third Coin of the Series – Super Low Mintage of 2000! The Vasco da Gama 2 oz Silver Coin marks the third release in the Journeys of Discovery Coin Collection by New Zealand Mint. This exciting collection celebrates exploration and discovery of the unknown. Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama led an expedition to find a sea route from Portugal to India, exploring unchartered waters and making the longest ocean voyage of its time. This antique-finished, fully engraved and high-relief 2 oz silver coin captures the exciting moment of Vasco da Gama landing in Calicut, India for the first time on May 20, 1498. The packaging of a protective draw string sack has been designed to model the transport materials to trade around the globe at that time. With a worldwide limited mintage of only 2,000 coins, this would make a special gift for coin collectors and inspire intrepid travellers on their own Journeys of Discovery. Start or add to your Journeys of Discovery coin collection today. Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who was the first man to sail from Europe to India, indirectly making the longest ocean voyage of its time. Born in 1460 in Sines, Portugal, little is known of da Gama’s early life. Despite coming from a noble family, his first love was the sea. Known as a tough and fearless navigator, in 1497 da Gama was appointed to command a Portuguese expedition to find a new maritime route to Asia. On 7 July Vasco da Gama set sail, taking advantage of prevailing winds by sailing south down the coast of Africa before rounding the Cape of Good Hope. Sailing up the Eastern coast of Africa, da Gama reached the coast of India at Calicut (now Kozhikoda) in May of 1498. His success in this was to mark a key moment in the history of navigation. Da Gama had accomplished his mission, opening a trade route with the East by sea. Upon his return to Portugal in 1499 the King immediately dispatched a second expedition to secure a trading post at Calicut. Following a disastrous massacre of this second expedition at Calicut, da Gama once again sailed for India in 1502. Back in Portugal, da Gama continued to advise the Crown on Indian matters, in return being granted exclusive privileges and revenues. In 1524, he was nominated Portuguese Viceroy in India, and sent to deal with growing corruption among Portuguese authorities there. Arriving in Cochin, he fell ill and died on 24 December of that year. It was not until 1539 that his body was taken back to Portugal for burial. Reaching India by sea helped the Portuguese Empire gain a monopoly on many products, some of which were new to Europe. This was to last for much of the following century. Da Gama’s discovery opened the way for an age of global imperialism, and established a long-lasting Portuguese colonial empire in Asia. His travels have gone down in history as a milestone which marks the start of global multiculturalism. This relief engraved coin. The exciting moment of Vasco da Gama landing in Calicut, India for the first time on May 20, 1498. This features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This 2 oz Silver Coin is presented in a timber treasure chest with a uniquely numbered certificate of authenticity. This in turn sits within a draw string sack, modelled on those used to transport materials to trade around the globe on great Journeys of Discovery throughout history. Metal:999 Fine Silver Finish: Proof Antique Finish Diameter: 40 mm Edge: Milled Denomination. Year of Issue: 2016 Mintage: 2,000 Weight: 2 Troy oz. Credit / debit card.