The image of the Virgin Mary has been employed often in numismatics.In this week's newsletter we'd like to share some of the notable iconography of the Madonna as it graces a number of the coins in our collection.

Cook Islands' 2009  $20 Raffaello's 3 oz. Proof Silver Crown "Sistine Madonna"  From the Masterpieces of Art series of 3 oz silver coins issued by authority of the government of the Cook Islands. This $20 legal tender coin has Swarovski crystals embedded on the surface, highlighting the famous master's painting. Total mintage on this coin was limited to 1,513 pieces.

Liberia's 2007 $10 Proof Silver Black Madonna of Czestochowa  
The Black Madonna of Czestochowa icon was, according to legend, painted by St. Luke the Evangelist on a cypress table top from the house of the Holy Family.

In February 1858, a 14-year-old local girl, Bernadette Soubirous claimed the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her in the remote Grotto of Massabielle. A statue of the Madonna of Lourdes was erected at the site in 1864. Over the years, Lourdes has become one of the world's leading Marian shrines. Although the water itself has no miraculous powers, believers have used it for centuries, in conjunction with acts of faith, for curative requests.

Palau's 2007 $1 Madonna & Child Proof Gold Coin
Struck from 1/25 ounce of .999 fine gold. This gold coin bears the iconic image of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Christ.