Catalog
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| Issuer | Samoa |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | 5 mm |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | The reverse depicts a gilded seahorse (hai ma) in high relief as the central motif, symbolising loyalty, devotion, and a connection to the element of water. The background field incorporates detailed architectural elements of the Forbidden City, complemented by decorative clouds and a moon, evoking classical Chinese imperial imagery. The primary inscription 'The Spine Beast of the Forbidden City' appears in English, accompanied by the Chinese characters '海马' and the romanised transliteration 'HAI MA'. The selective gilt finish on the seahorse contrasts with the silver-toned background, enhancing the three-dimensional quality of the design. |
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| Additional information |
Hai Ma — Mandarin for "sea horse" — places this piece within Samoa's long-running series of animal-themed collector issues produced under licensing arrangements common to small Pacific island states that mint no circulating coinage of their own. The actual striking almost certainly took place in a European or Asian commercial mint, with Samoa functioning as the nominal issuing authority.
The partial gilding is applied selectively after striking, a post-mint finishing step that has become a commercial standard in the novelty bullion market since roughly the 2010s.