Explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was born in Genoa, Italy. Under the patronage of the Spanish royal family, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. These efforts established permanent settlements and initiated Spanish colonization of the New World.
 
Through this, Columbus has been credited as opening up the Americas to European trade. With economic competition between European kingdoms on the rise, Columbus proposed to reach the East In dies by sailing westward. This daring plan was seen as a chance to establish new trade routes with Asia. In August of 1492, after 36 days of sailing, Columbus set foot on an island in the modern day Bahamas, rather than Japan as he had originally intended. 
 
Returning to Spain a year later, Columbus gave a glowing, though somewhat exaggerated report and was warmly received by the Spanish court. Over the course of three more voyages, he visited the Greater and Lesser Antilles, as well as the Caribbean coast of Venezuela and Central America, claiming them for the Spanish Empire.
 
Though we now believe Columbus was not the first European explorer to reach the Americas, his voyages generated lasting European contact with the New World. This inaugurated a period of European exploration, conquest, trade and colonization that was to last for centuries. In what has become known as the ‘Columbian Exchange’, these expeditions set in motion a widespread transfer on a global scale. Foods from the Americas such as potatoes, tomatoes and corn became staples within Europe, while wheat from Europe became a main food source for people in the Americas.
 
REVERSE 
This relief engraved coin, shows the moment of Christopher Columbus landing on a beach in the New World

OBVERSE
This features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
 

PACKAGING
 
This 2 oz Silver Coin is presented in a timber treasure chest with a uniquely numbered certificate of authenticity. This in turn sits within a draw string sack, modelled on those used to transport materials to trade around the globe on great Journeys of Discovery throughout history.

The coin is not encapsulated

JOURNEYS OF DISCOVERY - CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS - 2015 NEW ZEALAND MINT COINS 02 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 12- NEW ZEALAND MINT / 01- FINE SILVER COINS and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.