2019 Australia 1 oz Silver $5 Western Hemisphere Domed Coin Proof

The 15^th and 16^th century explorations by famous explorers during this era paved the way for the world as it is today. The new found lands during this Age of Discovery are commemorated in beautiful detail on this Proof Silver domed coin, based on historic and rare maps of the period.

Coin Highlights:

• Limited mintage of 5,000 coins worldwide.
• Contains 1 oz of .999 fine Silver.
• This is the second and final Silver coin in the Terrestrial Domed Series by the Royal Australian Mint.
• Each coin comes in a case with an outer box and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Obverse: The Ian Rank-Broadley likeness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II along with the year and face value.
• Reverse: Features depictions of the Western Hemisphere, inspired by a 1626 map by English cartographer John Speed. The historic map depicts key discoveries in the Western Hemisphere, by famous explorers such as Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Sir Francis Drake and Thomas Candish.
• Sovereign coin backed by the Australian government.

This coin is the second in the two-coin Terrestrial Dome Silver coin series and features the Western Hemisphere. This limited mintage Silver domed coin with its unparalleled intricate detailing is uniquely suited for history buffs, gift-givers and investment enthusiasts alike. Add the 2019 1 oz Silver $5 Map of the World Western Hemisphere Domed coin to your cart today!

Shop all Royal Australian Mint Silver Domed coins, including the first coin in the series, a graded PR-70 Map of the World coin.

The earliest known maps date back to the 6^th and 5^th century B.C., assuming the flat Earth concept. World maps assuming a spherical Earth later appeared during the Hellenistic period. During the Age of Exploration, maps became increasingly accurate as explorers began to explore and discover new lands. Maps have been, and continue to be necessary tools to navigate the world and stir imagination for further exploration.

Christopher Columbus first sailed for "the Indies", which he believed was South Asia and East Asia in 1492. He instead reached an island after a five-week voyage, which is the present-day Bahamas. He also explored present-day Cuba and Hispaniola. His second voyage sighted various islands in the Caribbean, along with Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in 1493. Finding the hypothesized continent of South America was Columbus's mission for his third voyage. He sighted Trinidad in 1498 and made landfall in present-day Venezuela, touching mainland South America. His fourth and final voyage involved exploring Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, organized the first circumnavigation of the Earth. Beginning in 1519, they sailed for South America and reached present-day Brazil. His expedition was completed without him, due to his death mid-voyage. Sir Francis Drake led the second circumnavigation of the Earth in a single voyage, beginning in 1577. He helped claim present-day California for the English. Thomas Cavendish, also spelled Candish, departed England in 1586 and reached present-day Chile six months later.