20 Cents Thousand-hand Bodhisattva

Issuer	Samoa
Year	2025
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Value	20 Cents (Sene) 0.20 WST = RSD 7.39
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Obverse description	The obverse features a deeply struck inset circular medallion in the upper left area of the rectangular planchet, bearing a right-facing bust effigy of King Charles III with the legend '20 CENTS · CHARLES III · SAMOA' surrounding the portrait and the date '2025' above. The remainder of the obverse field displays a highly detailed high-relief depiction of the monumental entrance gate of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, rendered in traditional Chinese architectural style with multi-tiered eaves, ornate bracketing, and a central plaque bearing the Chinese characters '莫高窟'. A dramatically sculpted mountain range in high relief fills the background above the gate. At the lower left, the Chinese inscription '敦煌莫高窟' and the bilingual legend 'DUNHUANG MOGAO GROTTOES' appear in relief against a darkened field.
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Obverse lettering	2025 20 CENTS CHARLES III SAMOA 敦煌莫高窟 DUNHUANG MOGAO GROTTOES
Reverse description	The reverse presents a dramatic full-figure high-relief depiction of Guanyin Bodhisattva (千手千眼观世音, the Thousand-Hand, Thousand-Eye Avalokitesvara), shown standing in a graceful contrapposto pose against a deeply recessed blackened field. The deity is adorned with an elaborate crown, flowing robes, and jewelled ornaments, with numerous arms radiating symmetrically outward in various ritual mudra gestures, each hand rendered with exceptional sculptural detail. The Chinese legend '千手千眼观世音' is inscribed in relief along the upper field, while the English legend 'Thousand-hand Bodhisattva' appears in relief at the lower margin. The composition draws directly from iconographic traditions associated with the Tang dynasty murals of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes.
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