Australia 1 oz $100 Gold A Map of the New World PR 70 PCGS First Strike (2018)

Explore Captain James Cook's famous voyages with this exquisite, low mintage, 2018 Map of the World Domed Gold coin. There are currently 10 coins graded a perfect Proof-70 Deep Cameo First Strike by PCGS, making this a rare issue.
The 18^th century travels of Captain Cook unveiled mysteries of the world for scientists, cartographers and explorers. The excitement of this era of discovery is commemorated in beautiful detail on this Gold domed coin, based on historic and rare maps of the period.

Coin Highlights:

• Population of 10 coins at this grade level with 0 graded higher.
• Certified a Proof-70 Deep Cameo by PCGS, and encapsulated with the Australia flag label. First Strike designation certifies these coins were issued in the first 30 days of the mint's release.
• Extremely limited mintage of only 750 coins worldwide.
• Contains 1 oz of .9999 fine Gold.
• Obverse: The Ian Rank-Broadley likeness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II along with the year and face value.
• Reverse: Features depictions of the Eastern Hemisphere based on a historic and rare map showing Captain James Cook's tracks and his discoveries. The inscription "1812 A New Map of the World - Captain Cook's Tracks" surrounds the map.
• Sovereign coin backed by the Australian government.

This coin is the first release in a two-coin series by Royal Australian Mint, and has been graded by PCGS. The second and final coin in the series is the Western Hemisphere. This limited mintage Gold domed coin with its unparalleled, intricate detailing is uniquely suited for history buffs, gift-givers and investment enthusiasts alike. Add the 2018 Gold Map of the New World Domed PR-70 PCGS First Strike coin to your cart today!

The earliest known maps date back to 6^th and 5^th century B.C., assuming the flat Earth conception. World maps assuming a spherical Earth later appeared during the Hellenistic period. During the Age of Exploration, maps became increasingly accurate as explorers began to explore and discover new lands. Maps have been, and continue to be necessary tools to navigate the world and stir imagination for further exploration.

Captain James Cook, a British explorer, embarked on his first voyage in 1768. He first sailed westward to Brazil and rounded Cape Horn, then sailed to New Zealand in 1769. In April 1770 they were the first Europeans to reach the eastern coast of Australia, making landfall at a place now known as Botany Bay. Captain Cook and his crew sailed on along the Australian coastline, charting on to the port of Batavia in the Dutch East Indies, and rounding the Cape of Good Hope on March 13, 1771.

Captain Cook's second voyage departed Plymouth in 1772 to the Cape of Good Hope. They headed for the South Atlantic and eventually sailed south through ice to reach the Antarctic Circle on January 17, 1773. Captain James Cook's third and final voyage left Plymouth in July 1776, and reached Cape Town in October. They sailed on, and named the Prince Edward Islands in December, and reached Van Diemen's Land (now known as Tasmania) on January 16, 1777. Continuing onward, he became the first European to reach the Hawaiian Islands in January 1778, which he named the "Sandwich Islands". They then headed to the western coast of North America, where they made landfall on the Oregon coast, and later headed to Vancouver Island. Captain Cook headed onward to discover Cook Inlet in Alaska while searching for the Northwest Passage.