2016 $5 Silver Proof Colour Printed Domed Coin - Northern Sky – Cygnus

2016 $5 Silver Proof Colour Printed Domed Coin - Northern Sky – Cygnus

The Northern Sky series comes to a stunning conclusion with this beautifully crafted tribute to the constellation of Cygnus. Coin collectors and astronomy buffs alike will be enamoured by this piece, featuring the same innovative dome shape and colour printing of the two previous releases. It will be preciously sought-after as the ideal completion to this sell-out series.

HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE
From June to December each year, stargazers in the northern hemisphere can observe the night sky to see the Milky Way and find Cygnus, the 16th largest of the 88 modern constellations. Featuring the famous Northern Cross, it is named after the Latin word for ‘swan’. This graceful celestial bird has crossed generations capturing imaginations and appearing in many a piece of classical folklore.

Before receiving the name Cygnus it was believed to resemble Roc, the huge bird featured in tales of Sinbad the Sailor. Ancient Greeks told tales of the ever-amorous Zeus disguising himself as a swan to capture the attention of Leda, who then spawned children who were immortalised in swan form in the sky. Many stories also feature mythical characters falling to their demise before pleading with Zeus to transform them into swans.

FEATURES AND DESIGN
• The third and final coin in this spectacular sell-out series
• Finished to the Royal Australian Mint’s proof standard
• One ounce of fine silver
• Featuring the celebrated dome shape of the two prior coins in this series
• Coin’s reverse features a beautiful colour-printed depiction of the Cygnus constellation
• Issued in an attractive presentation case with outer box
• Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
• Coin’s obverse features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II effigy sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley
• Australian legal tender