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20 Cents Plucking the Pipa behind the back
| Issuer | Samoa |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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| Obverse description | The obverse features a background inspired by the celebrated murals of the Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang. Superimposed upon this decorative field is a portrait effigy of King Charles III in profile facing left, rendered in relief in the contemporary royal portrait style. Surrounding the effigy are bilingual legends in Chinese and English identifying the monarch, the denomination, the issuing country, and the year of issue. The country name SAMOA and the royal coat of arms are also present, along with the Chinese characters 敦煌莫高窟 and their English equivalent DUNHUANG MOGAO GROTTOES. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin/Chinese |
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| Additional information |
The pipa is a four-stringed Chinese lute with a playing history stretching back roughly two millennia, but the acrobatic technique of playing it behind the back is a modern performance flourish — more concert stage spectacle than classical tradition. Samoa's decision to issue a copper coin honoring this gesture is an unusual cultural crossover for a Pacific island nation with no significant historical connection to Chinese classical music.
At 29 grams in copper, this is a heavy piece for a 20-cent denomination — almost certainly a collector issue rather than anything intended for the till.