World of Wonders

World of Wonders is a coin series which has a historical and an emotional background. The Kiyomizu Temple and the Statue of Liberty are found on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. The Basil’s Cathedral is listed together with the Red Square and the Kremlin.

The Kiyomizu Temple
is one of the most famous temples in Japan. Its history dates back to the 8^th century. The name Kiyomizu means pure water (Kiyoi mizu). The temple was given this name due to the waterfall within the complex. During 1603-1867 it was a tradition to plunge from the temples big terrace into the forest. The people believed if one survived the 13 meter jump ones wishes would be granted. It is not known if the wishes of those who survived came true. The outcome of this tradition is the Japanese figure of speech; „ jump off the stage at Kiyomizu“, and means as much as „ to come to a decision”.

The Statue of Liberty
is the most famous landmark in New York. Her height is a proud 46,05 m (without the base) and was inaugurated in October 1886. She welcomes immigrants and home comers. Miss Liberty, as she is fondly called, was a gift from France. A rumour says that the wife of the sewing machine manufacturer Singer posed for the drafts of the Liberty for the French sculptor Bartholdi. Miss Liberty stands on broken chains which represent slavery. In her left hand she holds a slab with the inscription July 4, 1776 which indicates America’s independency. A radiant crown with seven jags decorates her head and symbolises the Seven Seas and continents.

The St. Basil’s Cathedral
is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Moscow. The church was built in the 16^th century by order of the tsar of that time, Ivan IV. At first she was white and the domes were coated with leaf gold. In the 17^th century the gold domes were replaced by today’s colourfully decorated ones. The white exterior facade also gave way to today’s red and white play of colours. In 1936 the cathedral was  supposed to be knocked down as it was in the way during parades on the Red Square. Fortunately this was prevented.

The Neuschwanstein Castle
is annually visited by about 1.2 million tourists and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and famous castles in the world. King Ludwig II of Bavaria erected a memorial for himself when he commissioned this fairy-tale castle in 1869. The ruler was only able to live in the romantic Neuschwanstein for a few months. The construction created immense expenses so that after the Kings death in 1886 a great deal of planed labour on the castle was discontinued and to this day has not been completed in the sense of the royal builder.