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10 Dollars - Elizabeth II Avalokiteśvara
| Issuer | Niue |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 10 Dollars |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | NIUE ISLAND 2020 ELIZABETH II IRB 10 DOLLARS |
| Reverse description | The reverse depicts Avalokiteśvara, the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion, shown in a frontal devotional pose with multiple arms radiating symmetrically outward in the tradition of Esoteric Buddhist iconography. The figure stands or is enthroned upon a lotus blossom, evoking the imagery of the Lotus Sutra, with fine detail applied to the robes, jewelry, and the numerous hands each holding symbolic attributes. The composition is rendered in antiqued finish, enhancing the sculptural relief and highlighting the spiritual gravitas of the deity. The design draws on classical Chinese Buddhist artistic traditions, presenting the Goddess of Mercy in a serene, protective aspect. |
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| Additional information |
Niue has long served as a licensing jurisdiction for novelty bullion — its name appears on pieces it has no meaningful connection to, with production handled entirely by external mints targeting collector markets in East and Southeast Asia. This issue is a case in point. The copper-core, silver-clad construction is a cost architecture designed to deliver impressive weight and diameter at reduced silver content, a format that became commercially fashionable among Pacific island issuers in the late 2010s.
Avalokiteśvara devotion is particularly strong in Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhism, and the piece was clearly aimed at that buyer demographic.