Cook Islands. 5 Dollars. 2021. Silver .999. 1 oz. Proof. 38.61 mm. Mintage: 1,500. Specialtechnology: colour; black silk finish; smartminting® (Ultra High Relief). B. H. Mayer'sKunstprägeanstalt, Munich.

Description of the Coin
One side features a Siamese fighting fish, below ECLECTIC NATURE; the field is divided into twounequal parts, one of them has a shiny proof finish, the other a black finish.

The other side features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley (initials: IRB); around itthe name of the ruler, the issuing nation and the denomination.

Background
Eclectic Nature - this term needs some explaining. With this theme, CIT picks up a principle that datesback to antiquity, when the term ???e?t?? was created. The idea behind it was probably bestsummarized by Saul of Tarsus in his Epistle to the Thessalonians: Today,eclecticism is understood as the art of knowing all - even and especially the opposing - aspects of anissue and of merging them to create a new unity.

The Siamese fighting fish was chosen as the motif for Eclectic Nature because it is a product ofbreeding that goes back about a millennium and combines extremely diverse colors andcharacteristics. With its many color and wide, flowing fins, the Siamese fighting fish is considered themost beautiful aquarium fish out there. It combines high intelligence with atavistic territorial behavior,which causes it to defend its territory so aggressively that fights often end with both opponents beingkilled. For centuries, its aggressiveness was abused for animal fights, and high sums were bet on theoutcome.

CIT showcases the unique beauty of the Siamese fighting fish with precise color printing andsmartminting® technology on a commemorative coin that is just as unique as the fish itself. Thedifferent features of the creature are represented by the different finishes of the field: shiny proof onone side, silk black finish on the other. Just like yin and yang, the different characteristics of theSiamese fighting fish come together to form one creature of exceptional beauty, and this is playfullypicked up by this commemorative coin.

For more information, or to order, see:
https://www.cit.li/coins/eclectic-nature-fighting-fish/
Eclectic Nature - Fighting Fish(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5NOvfTPtSQ)