Obverse: The centre of the coin features a right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by British sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The surrounding inscriptions read “ELIZABETH II”, “SOLOMON ISLANDS”, the year of issue, 2021, and the denomination “2 DOLLARS”.
Reverse: The design depicts a traditional Chinese pirate warship sailing through rough seas with raised sails and a flying flag. Above the ship soars a majestic phoenix, its long tail encircling the composition. An important symbol in Chinese mythology, the phoenix is associated with renewal, strength and power. The design also includes the inscription “CHING SHIH” and the silver weight and fineness “1 oz .999 SILVER”.
About the coin: The 2021 Solomon Islands 2 Dollars “Ching Shih” silver coin is the second release in the “Pirate Queens” collector series, dedicated to some of history's most famous female pirates.
Ching Shih (c. 1775–1844), also known as Zheng Yi Sao, was one of the most influential pirate leaders in maritime history. In the early 19th century, she commanded an enormous pirate confederation in the South China Sea. Hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of people operated under her authority. Her strict discipline and exceptional organisational skills made her one of the most powerful naval leaders of her era.
The warship depicted on the reverse symbolises Ching Shih's formidable fleet, while the phoenix represents strength and Chinese cultural heritage.
Struck from .999 fine silver, the coin weighs 1 troy ounce (31.1 g) and measures 40 mm in diameter. Its limited mintage is 10,000 pieces worldwide.
