2023 - Niue 2 NZD Silver Crystal Coin - To the Birth of a Child - Proof

Crystal Coin

The unique gift series "Crystal Coin" is the result of a combination of traditional crafts from Jablonec nad Nisou - the Czech Mint and Preciosa glassworks. One of the most popular motifs appearing on silver coins with Czech crystal is the birth of a child. The original gift with a stork motif is being released for the second time - this time with the year 2023.

Storks were worshiped all over the world in ancient times. The noble feathered creatures symbolised piety and justice in ancient Egypt, immortality in China and new life in Europe. The Germanic pagans believed that it was not only frogs that lived in the marshes, which were a favourite delicacy of storks, but also the souls of unborn children. The storks hunted these souls and placed them in the bodies of the future mothers. Weddings then took place at the celebration of the summer solstice at the end of June, and when the storks returned home from warmer climes in the spring, many newly married women were about to give birth. The notion of the stork bearing children was aided by the fact that he himself was a caring parent who devotedly took care of his offspring. The superstition has survived into modern times, and has helped parents to avoid delicate conversation with older siblings of newborn children for hundreds of years. Where did the baby come from? A stork brought it! Why is mommy lying in bed? A stork pecked her! The children were happy to accept that explanation…

The reverse side of the commemorative coin, which is the work of medal maker Petra Brodská, DiS., presents a combination of embossed relief, Czech crystal and traditional symbolism. The baby wrapped in a scarf is accompanied not only by a stork but also by a crow, which according to some legends carries baby girls to their parents. The bundle of good luck is carried by balloons, one of which is made of a crystal stone. Because the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with the licence of a foreign issuer, which is the island of Niue, their obverse side bears its necessary attributes - the nominal value of 2 DOLLARS (NZD), the year of issue 2023 and the national emblem, which is surrounded by a number of children's motifs.

The coin is issued in a limited mintage of 1000 pieces. It represents an original, yet traditional gift.