2024 Cook Islands $5 1-oz Silver Lion of Lucerne Ultra Deep Relief Proof

Switzerland’s Iconic Lion Monument Struck As An Astonishing Silver Coin

In addition to its picturesque Alps, intricate cuckoo clocks, and delicious chocolate; Switzerland is also home to what Mark Twain described as, “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” But of the millions of people who have visited the Lion of Lucerne, a rock relief in Lucerne, Switzerland since it was completed in 1821, only a small percentage have recognized that there are not one, but two different animals carved in the rock face. The first and most obvious is a dying lion, symbolic of the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. The second is a pig, a design element added to the work by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, who felt he was harassed into to rushing his work to completion and was informed that, because of his delays, he would not receive the full amount of his commission. Out of respect to the fallen soldiers Thorvaldsen didn’t alter the sculpture itself, Instead, he fashioned the shape of the alcove where the lion lay so that it resembled the outline of a pig.

Incredible Technique Is A Masterpiece Of Numismatic Art

Look closely at this impressive coin and you’ll see both the dying lion and the pig. This was brought off brilliantly by a technique called Ultra Deep Relief (UDR) that that pushes part of relief design deep INTO the coin instead of raising it above the surface like in other High Relief designs. The coin itself, a legal-tender $5 coin in the Cook Islands, was struck in a full ounce of highly pure 99.99% silver and comes in gorgeous Proof condition meaning it was expertly crafted from hand-selected planchets, polished dies, and multiple strikes to produce beautifully frosted details rising over mirror-like fields.

The design itself is a beautifully poignant recreation of the famous sculpture. It shows a mortally wounded lion impaled by a spear, symbolizing the fallen Swiss guards. One of the lion’s paws covers a shield bearing the fleur-de-lis of the French monarchy. Beside him is another shield bearing the coat of arms of Switzerland. A regiment of Swiss Guards had served the Royal Family in France since the early 1600s. In 1789, King Louis XVI fled with his family from the Palace of Versailles to the Tuileries Palace in Paris, where in 1792 a mob of working-class Parisians stormed into the palace, and overwhelmed and massacred the Swiss Guard as the royal family fled through the gardens. More than 600 Swiss Guards defending the Tuileries died during the fighting with additional 200 dying in prison of their wounds or were killed during the September Massacres that followed.

Order Now, Just 400 Coins Struck For Worldwide Release

Just 499 of these 2024 Cook Islands $5 One-Ounce Silver Lion of Lucrene Ultra Deep Relief Proof coins have been struck for worldwide release and each one here will come in its original packaging that consists of an elegant presentation case and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. That’s an impossibly small, limited edition for a coin of this magnitude. Don’t miss out, add one of these coins to your cart today!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• DEDICATED TO THE LOYALTY & BRAVERY OF THE SWISS GUARDS – This commemorative coin was issued to pay tribute to the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. It shows the Lion of Lucerne, a rock relief in Lucerne, Switzerland that was completed in their honor. The coin’s obverse shows the effigy of King Charles III.
• ASTONISHING ULTRA DEEP RELIEF – These coins were struck with astonishing Ultra Deep Relief (UDR) that pushes part of relief design deep INTO the coin instead of raising it above the surface.
• STRUCK IN HIGHLY PURE SILVER – Each Lion of Lucrene Ultra Deep Relief Coin was struck in a full ounce of highly pure 99.99% silver and measures 33 mm in diameter.
• LEGAL-TENDER COIN – These 2024-dated One-Ounce Silver Lion of Lucrene Ultra Deep Relief Coins are $5 legal tender in the Cook Islands, a nation made up of 15 islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
• GORGEOUS PROOF CONDITION – Your 2024 Cook Islands $5 One-Ounce Silver Lion of Lucrene Ultra Deep Relief Coin will come in gorgeous Proof condition with frosted details rising over mirror-like fields.
• EXTREMELY SMALL LIMITED EDITION – The limited mintage for this 2024 Cook Islands $5 One-Ounce Silver Lion of Lucrene Ultra Deep Relief Proof has been set at just 499 coins for worldwide release.

From the bloody pages of history comes this 2024 Cook Islands $5 One-Ounce Silver Lion of Lucrene Ultra Deep Relief Proof that commemorates the bravery of the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. Just 499 were struck so get yours now!