New Zealand Post’s start to open the pre-order of 2014 Māori Art-Papatūānuku and Ranginui Gold Proof Coin and the coin will be release late June 2014. The creation narrative of Papatūānuku and Ranginui is celebrated in precious 0.9999 1oz gold proof with a low mintage of just 250 worldwide. The 2014 Māori Art Coin is the fourth coin in New Zealand Post’s Māori Art Coin series.
The coin shows Tāne separating Papatūānuku and Ranginui, creating the world of light. The intricate design is based on leading New Zealand artist Cliff Whiting’s mixed media mural, ‘Te wehenga o Rangi rāua ko Papa’ (the separation of heaven and earth). This well known piece of art can be seen in the reading room in the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington. In Māori mythology the primal couple Rangi and Papa (or Ranginui and Papatuanuku) appear in a creation myth explaining the origin of the world. In some South Island dialects, Rangi is called Raki or Rakinui.
Technical specification
Denomination: Ten New Zealand dollars
Finish: Proof
Composition: 0.9999 gold
Weight: 1 troy oz
Diameter: 38.74mm
Edge treatment: Milled
Shape: Round
Obverse design: Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom
Reverse design: The separation of Papatuanuku and Ranginui
Worldwide mintage limit: 250
Mint: Royal Australian Mint
Price: NZD$3,349.00
This striking $10 coin is contained within a wakahuia, a carved vessel created for the purpose of holding taonga (treasures). The wakahuia has been designed and carved from black maire by Rangi Kipa and David Hakaraia. Rangi's work is at the forefront of the contemporary Māori art world. The lid features a double interlocking spiral carved into it, known as a ‘takarangi’. This design represents the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku. You can start to order your Papatūānuku and Ranginui Gold Proof Coin via New Zealand Post’s website coins.nzpost.co.nz. A Papatūānuku and Ranginui Silver Proof Coin also available with limited worldwide mintage of 2,000.
