2017-09-28 Thu

A meteorite named Chergach, from the class of chondrites, crashed into Desert nomads in the Erg Chech, near Taoudenni, Mali in July 2007. The 100 kg of rock spread over a 20-km-long strewn field creating a loud sound and clouds of smoke. It’s made of old and heavy elements the solar system like metals and small silicate grains.

Coin Invest released special coins for the Cook Islands embedded with a real piece of this meteorite. The Chergach coin is over-struck purposely. The depth of the concave coin also recreates the cracks that are formed due to the meteorite impact at the crater.

Over-struck coins are challenging to create technically. The crater side of the coin has a special finish to improve plasticity of the representation. The obverse features proof-like quality and grainy texture of Sahara Sand. It also depicts the portrait of Elizabeth II of England, country name, denomination, and the year of issue.