This amazing 2 oz silver coin "Galileo Galieli" is honoring this great man who changed the world. Galileo Galieli was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. Symbolizing his discovery of lunar mountains and craters on the moon's surface there is applied a natural moonstone in the coin.

The world this year marks the 450th anniversary of the birth of Galileo Galilei, who died on January 8th, 1642. The famous Italian scientist was tried by the Holy Office of the Catholic Church for his defense of a heliocentric universe. The case has often been used to demonstrate a supposed conflict between science and religion.

Born on February 15, 1564, in Pisa, Italy, Galileo Galilei was a mathematics professor who made pioneering observations of nature with long-lasting implications for the study of physics. He also constructed a telescope and supported the Copernican theory, which supports a sun-centered solar system. Galileo was accused twice of heresy by the church for his beliefs, and wrote books on his ideas. He died in Arcetri, Italy, on January 8, 1642.

Cook Islands have issued this commemorative coin made of 2 oz of pure silver.

The reverse has a portrait of Galileo looking into a sky featuring the moon, some stars, and the then known solar system. The coin has the moon replaced with a piece of moonstone. 

The obverse carries the denomination, weight, date, issuing country and the name and portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the latter by Ian Rank Broadley. The coin is housed in a moon shape box.

Сountry: Cook Island
Data of issue: 2014
Face value: 1 Dollar
Metal: Silver .999
Weight: 62,2 g
Diameter: 50 mm
Quality: Proof with moonstone insert
Mintage: 999 pcs