2013 $5 Rhinoceros Sterling Silver Coin plus Printed Art Image

Discover the intrigue of an old master artist's image dating back more than 500 years ago depicting an animal the artist had never actually seen. Originally engraved by Albrect Dürer in 1515, the image of a rhinoceros was an exotic curiosity in Europe and was believed to be an accurate depiction for more than 250 years. This sterling silver coin has been struck with a near-perfect proof finish and a colour representation of Dürer's rhinoceros etched into a copper inlay. The coin weighs about two-thirds of an ounce (20 grams), is struck in sterling silver, dated 2013, and has a legal tender value of $5 in Cook Islands. This item also includes an art image. Mintage is limited to just 2,500 coins.

Albrecht Dürer was arguably one of the greatest artists of his time. A friend (and fellow painter), who had seen the rhinoceros in Lisbon, described the animal to Dürer in a letter and included a small sketch. He then made sketches and had them printed (even though he never got to see the exotic creature himself). His woodcut is not an entirely correct representation of a rhinoceros. He depicts an animal with hard plates that cover its body like sheets of armour, with a gorget at the throat, a solid-looking breastplate, and rivets along the seams. He places a small twisted horn on its back, and gives it scaly legs. None of these features are present in a real rhinoceros, although the Indian rhinoceros does have deep folds in its skin that can look like armour from a distance. Despite its anatomical inaccuracies, Dürer's woodcut became very popular in Europe and was copied many times in the following three centuries. It was regarded by Westerners as a true representation of a rhinoceros into the late 18th century.

To save on printing costs, he decided against the engraving technique and opted for a less expensive woodcut. In January of 2013, a first-edition print from 1515 was sold at Christie's in New York for $866,500, thus bearing witness to the enduring appreciation this artwork. A 4" x 6" art image of Dürer's rhinoceros is also included.

• Mintage: 2500
• Weight: 20 g sterling silver

Includes:
• $5 Sterling Silver Rhinoceros Coin