2019 Cook Islands 45grams.999 Silver and 5grams Titanium Coin
Minted by: B.H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt GmbH - one of the World's most Innovative mints
The Story
It began with the idea of a coin celebrating China’s significant achievement of landing a space craft, Chang’e-4, on the far side of the moon. The successful touch down was hailed as a major technical feat and is seen as a important step towards China’s wider ambitions in space.

Artistry
The design brief to Yu Min, Shanghai mint senior designer and winner of the Krause Publication Coin of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in Design was to commemorate this event and also incorporate into the design the panda which is the national symbol for the People's Republic of China.

Yu min created a unique design which included a panda in a space suit landing on the dark side of the moon with the lunar landing craft. The panda finger gesture symbolises the first arrival on the far side of the moon and also the meaning “we will be back” as China has set as one of its space exploration goals the establishment of a base on the moon.

Innovation
The Space Panda was minted at B.H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt GmbH using a technique which allows the mint to strike coins with ultra-high relief. Due to this coining method, the motif has a clearly raised relief, which spectacularly accentuates the design created by Yu Min who has stated that the sculptured plaster created for this unique coin was one of the most challenging of his career.

Technology
Another special feature of this coin is a world;s first. B.H.Mayer located in Germany and one of the world’s most innovative mints was able to create a coin from an alloy containing 90% silver and 10% titanium. The shiny white metal titanium is used in space travel because of its excellent properties such as low density, ductility and very high strength, as well as its corrosion and temperature resistance factors.

In contrast, the obverse of the coin shows the nominal value, with the earth visible from space depicted in strong colours. It also depicts the launch of Chang'e-4, on its way to the moon. The coin has a face value of 5 dollars. On the same side there is also the year of issue 2019, the fineness, the issuing country of the Cook Islands and the image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Moon lander Display CaseThis special coin is displayed in a spectacular lunar landing display case created especially. Custom made fluid hinges slow the movement of the opening panels giving the experience of the lander being on the moon. The experience of opening the panels is a very emotive experience as you wait in anticipation to see this very special coin inside.

свернуть