2025 Ascension Islands $500 5-oz Gold Lion Dollar High Relief Proof NGC PF70UC First Strike Ceremony Struck by Jody Clark

Limited Edition 450th Anniversary Gold Lion Dollar Proofs Struck By Jody Clark!

Have you ever wondered where the American Dollar got its origins? The answer may surprise you–the Lion Dollar. With roots back to 1575 Netherlands, the Lion Dollar was the silver standard for world trade in the 16th and 17th centuries and even influenced America's adoption of the dollar denomination!

A Celebration 450 Years In The Making

Now, to celebrate the 450th anniversary of this historic coin, the Royal Dutch Mint is issuing its first series of legal tender silver and gold Lion Dollars since the coin was recognized and traded in Colonial America. This milestone release also marks the first time the Royal Dutch Mint has collaborated with renowned international artist and Head of Design for the prestigious Commonwealth Mint, Jody Clark, who faithfully remastered the historic designs. Here's your chance to participate in a celebration 450 years in the making with this gleaming 2025-dated Lion Dollar coin struck in five Troy ounces of 99.99% pure gold.

Released on behalf of the Ascension Islands, this legal-tender $500 coin also comes in gorgeous Proof condition, meaning it was expertly crafted by the mint from hand-selected planchets, polished dies, and multiple strikes to produce beautifully frosted details rising over mirror-like fields. The coin's reverse depicts the iconic Lion from whom the coin takes its name and the inscription "CONFIDENS DNO NON MOVETVR," which translates to "HE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD IS UNWAVERING." Meanwhile, the obverse features a knight grasping his shield, which bears a lion in a rampant position, along with the date, denomination, and the Ascension Islands Coat of Arms. The design is even more spectacular on these coins because they have been struck in breathtaking High Relief (HR) detail that towers above the surface of the coin!

Flawless First Strike Proofs From A Special Ceremony

In addition, each 2025 Ascension Islands $500 Five-Ounce Gold Lion Dollar High Relief Coin available here has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) as being in flawless Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70UC) condition, a distinction that means these perfectly-graded proof coins will have ZERO imperfections–showing all features and fields exactly as the engraver and mint intended. Plus, NGC has not only further certified that these Proofs are First Strike (FS) coins, but that they were personally struck by Jody Clark during a First Strike Ceremony at The Royal Dutch Mint and are encapsulated with NGC labels that designate them as such.

A Numismatic Icon: The Lion Dollar

The Lion Dollar, also known as the Leeuwendaalder, was first minted in the Netherlands in 1575 and was issued in most Dutch provinces and several big cities with the explicit purpose of facilitating trade. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Lion Dollar became the standard for silver trading dollars worldwide, circulating widely in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and even the American colonies until production ended in 1713. And what of the American word, "Dollar?" Well, it seems that the second half of the word Leeuwendaalder actually translates to the English word "dollar." During its time circulating the colonies, "daalder" became simplified to "dollar" and the term stuck. It's still used today not just in America but in many countries around the world!

Act Now Before These Coins Are History

Just 15 of these 2025 Ascension Islands $500 Five-Ounce Gold Lion Dollar High Relief Proof Coins have been struck for worldwide release–and GOVMINT has secured the entire North American allocation! Each coin will be accompanied by its original mint packaging that consists of an official Royal Dutch Mint Lion Dollar-branded presentation case and accompanied by a mint-numbered Certificate of Authenticity. With such a limited mintage, the time to act is now before these coins are history. Secure yours now!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• 450th ANNIVERSARY OF THE LION DOLLAR – This coin pays tribute to the 450th Anniversary of the famous Leeuwendaalder–the Lion Dollar–first struck in 1575. The design was remastered by Jody Clark, the Head of Design for Great Britain's prestigious Commonwealth Mint.
• INCREDIBLE HIGH RELIEF DETAIL – These Lion Dollar coins were struck with incredible High Relief (HR) detail that seems to rise off from the surface of the coin.
• STRUCK IN HIGHLY PURE GOLD – Each Lion Dollar High Relief Coin available here was struck by Royal Dutch Mint in five Troy ounces of 99.99% pure gold and measures 50 mm in diameter.
• LEGAL-TENDER COIN – These 2025-dated Five-Ounce Gold Lion Dollar High Relief Coins are $500 legal tender in the Ascension Islands, a British Overseas Territory located midway between the coast of Africa and the coast of Brazil.
• PERFECT PROOF CONDITION – Your 2025 Ascension Islands $500 Five-Ounce Gold Lion Dollar High Relief Coin has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) in perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70UC) condition.
• KEY JODY CLARK FIRST STRIKE CERTIFICATION – NGC has not only certified that these Proofs are First Strike (FS) coins, but that they were personally struck by Jody Clark during a First Strike Ceremony at The Royal Dutch Mint and are encapsulated with NGC labels that designated them as such.
• LOW LIMITED MINTAGE – Just 15 of these 2025 Ascension Islands $500 Five-Ounce Gold Lion Dollar High Relief Proof Coins have been struck for worldwide release.

Own a piece of history this 2025 Ascension Islands $500 Five-Ounce Gold Lion Dollar High Relief Proof! Remastered by Jody Clark, Just 15 of these 99.99% gold coins were struck and they're available here in Proof-70 Ultra Cameo condition and certified that they were struck by Jody Clark!