"Tenzing struggled up and joined me and I carried on cutting steps over bump
after bump. Finally, I saw to the right a rounded snowy dome. On a tight rope,
I continued cutting steps upwards and reached the crest of the ridge. Tenzing
joined me and we looked around in wonder - we had reached the top of the world."-
Sir Edmund Hillary.
Little did Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay realise that morning in 1953
how important a few minutes spent on a hard patch of snow would lead them off
on all manner of great adventures. For the rest of the world, this was adventure
enough.
On the Golden Anniversary of this momentous occasion, New Zealand Mint has
minted a .9999 pure gold coin issued under the authority of the Kingdom of Nepal.
This highly limited ¼ oz proof coin will no doubt sell out. Based on
an image provided by the Royal Geographic Society (co-funders of the triumphant
1953 British-led expedition), the coin has the personal endorsement of Tenzing
Norgay's family and Sir Edmund Hillary himself.
Coin Obverse
The obverse of the coin features the traditional Nepalese design that includes
the title of the monarch and the Bikram Samvat Era (VS) date of 2060 (i.e. 2003
+ 57).
Coin Reverse
The reverse is based on a photograph taken of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing
Norgay clad in their mountaineering gear, as they prepare for the final attempt
up the South face of Mt Everest. The photocomposition has been reworked such
that the two climbers mimic the mountain's profile.
CERTIFICATE
Each Everest 50th Anniversary pure gold coin comes with an individually numbered
Certificate of Authenticity issued by New Zealand Mint.
PACKAGING
Encapsulated within a quality wooden case, adorned with an Everest 50th Anniversary
logo.
Specifications | |
Weight | ¼ oz |
Purity | .9999 Gold |
Quality | Proof |
Max Mintage | 2000 |
Issuer | Kingdom of Nepal |
Year | 2060 (VS date) |
Diameter | 22.0mm (0.866in) |
Thickness | 1.4mm (0.055in) |