Pansy Egg, 2 Dollars, Series: Imperial Fabergé Eggs

The Mint of Poland offers a series of collector coins dedicated to the exceptional Tsar’s Fabergé Eggs. These absolute jewellery masterpieces symbolize extravagance and luxury. Designed by Peter Carl Fabergé and his assistants for the Russian tsars, Alexander III and Nicholas II, the eggs were made of gold and silver embellished with enamel and gemstones.

Until now the following coins have been released: the "Coronation Egg", the "Lily of the Valley Egg" and the "Clover Leaf Egg." The fourth coin of the collection is the "Pansy Egg" which Tsar Nicholas II presented Maria Fiodorowna with in 1899.

Obverse:
At the bottom – open Spring Flowers Egg (1899-1903) with a miniature basket of wood anemones inside. Above – the Niue Island’s Coat of Arms with the inscription “ELIZABETH II” and the mint’s mark (m/w) below. Around the Queen’s effigy – a decorative neorococo scroll ornament. At the top – the issuer’s name: NIUE ISLAND. On the right – a nominal value of the coin (2 dollars), on the left – the year of issue 2011.

Reverse:
In the central part – the stylized image of the original "Pansy Eggs", with a zircon in purple. At the top, along the edge - the name of the series in English: IMPERIAL FABERGÉ EGGS. In the background – the floral ornament.

Designer: Robert Kotowicz

The "Pansy Egg" is also known as the "Jade Egg". This name originates from the precious stone from which it has been made. In addition to jade, the egg used to be decorated with diamonds. It stands on a bunch of carved leaves, made of gold, from which stem five buds of pansies, enameled with various shades of purple. After opening the top part of the egg one can see a decorated with pearls gold heart, on which there are eleven tiny medallions in the shape of strawberries. All of them are connected by a monogram in the shape of the letter M. When opened, the medallions uncover the portraits of all members of the imperial family. At the top of the heart there is a floral wreath surrounding the star of Bethlehem. Below it there appears the year 1899 of completion of the work.

The "Pansy Egg" is a perfect jewellery masterpiece. Continually it fascinates collectors from every corner of the world. Currently, being one of the few representatives of the Faberge Eggs, it is housed in a private collection.