Perth 2011 Treasures of Australia Keshi Pearls Mother Locket $1 1 Oz Pure Silver

Description: In Stock and Ready for Immediate Shipment!SOLD OUT at the Perth Mint! The Treasures of Australia—pure silver with pearls and mother of pearl—united in one superb and unique coin! Here is the fifth and final entry in perhaps the most anticipated collector coin series ever released, the Treasures of Australia program! The Perth Mint of Australia has united two of the world's most coveted sources of real wealth - precious metals and gemstones - in this unique proof coin. The obverse depicts the source of these desirable riches - the Australian marine environment, one of the world’s most copious sources of South Sea pearls. Set within this vignette is a transparent capsule containing a genuine keshi pearl and a mother of pearl inlay that frames the gem. Pearls are unlike other gemstones because they do not have to be cut and polished to enhance their natural beauty! As a result, they have been prized throughout history - witness Johannes Vermeer's famous painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring, painted c. 1665! Keshi Pearls The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable. A traditional bridal gift, pearl is also the modern birthstone of people born in June. Pearls are produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk, such as an oyster. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls (called baroque pearls) occur. The unique luster of pearls depends upon the reflection, refraction, and diffraction of light from the translucent layers. The thinner and more numerous the layers in the pearl, the finer the luster. The iridescence that pearls display is caused by the overlapping of successive layers, which breaks up light falling on the surface. In addition, pearls (especially cultured freshwater pearls) can be dyed yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, purple, or black. Keshi pearls non-nucleated pearls typically formed during pearl cultivation. Keshi pearls consist of solid nacre, and tend to have a high luster as a result. All nacre colors typical of the mollusk under cultivation may be represented among keshi pearls harvested from the same, but in the case of Akoya pearls a larger portion of keshi pearls is usually gray, compared to bead-nucleated pearls. Mother of Pearl Mother of pearl (also known as nacre) is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some mollusks as an inner shell layer; it is also what makes up pearls. It is very strong, resilient, and iridescent. Pearls and the inside layer of pearl oyster and freshwater pearl mussel shells are made of nacre. Many other families of mollusk also have a nacreous inner shell layer. Mother of pearl has many uses, both decorative and practical. Nacre has been used over many centuries for all kinds of decorative purposes, such a pearl buttons and as architectural decoration. Nacre is also used to decorate watches, knives, guns and jewelry. It is often used for key touches and other decorative motifs on musical instruments. Many accordion and concertina bodies are completely covered in nacre, and some guitars have fingerboard inlays made of nacre. Mother of pearl is used to make spoon-like utensils for caviar, so as to not spoil the taste with metallic spoons. Obverse A stylized representation of the source of the beautiful pearl and mother of pearl contained within this coin - the Australian marine environment, one of the world’s richest sources of South Sea pearls. The legend reads appropriately TREASURES OF AUSTRALIA. Reverse Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in crowned profile facing right, above the clear capsule full of diamonds. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II, the date of issue and denomination also appear. The legend 1 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity. Packaging The coin is encapsulated inside an elegant, luxury presentation case with a native Australian jarrah wood lid, protected by a full-color outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included. Specifications Country Australia Mint Perth Mint of Australia Year of Issue 2011 Face Value One Dollar Weight 31.135 g Diameter 40.60 mm Gauge (Thickness) 4.00 mm Mintage Limit 7,500 Finish Proof Composition .999 Fine (Pure) Silver Edge Reeded (milled, serrated) Artist Justin Graham (obverse) Ian Rank-Broadley (reverse) Certificate Individually Numbered Copyright © 2021 Talisman World Coins and Medals. All Rights Reserved.

Price: 99.95 USD

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri

End Time: 2024-02-23T20:33:13.000Z

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