British Virgin Islands 2014 - The Eiffel Tower - Uncirculated Nickel Silver Coin

Named after the engineer, Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was erected on the Champ de Mars in Paris in 1889 as the entrance arch to the World’s Fair. Initially criticised by some of France’s leading artists and intellectuals due to its unusual design, the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) has since become one of the world’s most recognisable structures. Until 1930, this iron lattice tower was the world’s tallest man-made building, standing 1,063 feet / 324 metres tall. It remains the tallest structure in Paris.

The obverse of the coin carries an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on all UK coinage since 1998 and the Pobjoy Mint has exclusive use of the ‘uncouped’ effigy that appears on the obverse of these coins.

Available in Proof-like Fine Silver Antique Finished and Nickel Silver, the coins are struck to the highest quality with each beautifully engineered precious metal struck four times to produce a superlative finish.

Celebrate history with this unique coin

The design of the Eiffel Tower originated from ideas for a suitable centrepiece for the proposed 1889 Exposition Universelle (World Fair), celebrating the centennial of the French Revolution. Engineer Eiffel called the proposed building ‘not only the art of the modern engineer, but also the century of Industry and Science in which we are living, and for which the way was prepared by the great scientific movement of the 18th Century and by the Revolution of 1789, to which this monument will be built as an expression of France’s gratitude.’ Indeed, this masterpiece was further complemented by the exacting preparatory work – 1,700 general drawings and 3,629 detailed drawings of the 18,038 components that made up the finished Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel had a permit for the Tower to stand for 20 years and it was to be dismantled in 1909, but due to its value as a communication tower it was allowed to remain after the permit had expired and is now recognised as a cultural French icon.

The $1 Uncirculated Nickel Silver coin is an exceptional coin to grace any collection.