Editing Surinamese 12,500 gulden coin

{{Coin
|name= 12,500 gulden
|country= {{flag|Suriname}} [[Suriname]]
|value= [[Surinamese gulden|ƒ]]12,500.00
|years= [[1999]] (ND)
|mass= 28.28 g
|diameter= 38 mm
|composition= [[silver]]
|shape= round
|edge= reeded
|obverse= {{wp|en|Coat of arms of Suriname}}, {{wp|en|Branch|branches}}, state title
|reverse= Man and woman standing in front of a {{wp|en|ship}}, value
}}
The '''12,500 [[Surinamese gulden|gulden]] [[coin]]''' is a [[commemorative coin]] that was issued in [[1999]] by the [[Suriname|Republic of Suriname]]. It was produced in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the {{wp|en|Hinduism|Hindu}} immigration to the area, which occurred on [[June 5]], [[1873]], when [[British India]]n contract workers arrived in {{wp|en|Paramaribo}} on the ''Lalla Rookh''. The piece had a [[face value]] equivalent to 12,500 gulden prior to its eventual [[demonetization]], but was not intended for use in general [[circulation]] and was sold to collectors.

The coin is composed of .925 fine [[silver]] and has a mass of 28.28 grams and a diameter of 38 millimeters. It bears a reeded [[edge]] and, like most coins, is round in [[shape]]. Featured in the center of the [[obverse]] is the {{wp|en|coat of arms of Suriname}} &ndash; which consists of an {{wp|en|Escutcheon (heraldry)|escutcheon}} containing an illustration of a sailing ship on water at the left, a {{wp|en|five-pointed star}} in a {{wp|en|Lozenge (heraldry)|lozenge}} in the center, and a depiction of a {{wp|en|royal palm}} (''{{wsp|Roystonea}}'') at the right. This escutcheon is supported on both sides by an {{wp|en|Arawak peoples|Arawak}} warrior with a {{wp|en|bow}} and a quiver of arrows, wearing a {{wp|en|loincloth}} and traditional headpiece. Below the escutcheon and its supporters, the arms also includes a scroll bearing the {{wp|en|Latin}} text "JUSTITIA PIETAS FIDES" ({{wp|en|English language|English}}: "Justice - Piety - Fidelity"). Curved below the depiction of the arms is the word "SURINAME", and surrounding both the arms and the word is a circular border consisting of {{wp|en|Branch|branches}}. Displayed in the middle of the [[reverse]] are two individuals &ndash; a man and a woman &ndash; standing on the ground in front of a sailing vessel, likely the ''Lalla Rookh''. The value is arched above this illustration, inscribed as "12.500 GULDEN". Printed along the boundary of the piece is the {{wp|en|Dutch language|Dutch}} legend "Suriname: 125 jaar Hindostaanse Immigratie" (English: "Suriname: 125th anniversary of the {{wp|en|Hindustan|Hindustani}} Immigration"), which commences in an upward direction at the lower left periphery, arches downward at the top of the coin, and concludes at the bottom right rim. Inscribed below the central illustration is the text "• 1873 • 5 juni • 1998 •", the former date of ''5 juni 1873'' (June 5, 1873) representing the date the ''Lalla Rookh'' arrived in Suriname with the Indian immigrants and the latter date of ''5 juni 1998'' signifying the 125th anniversary of the event.

In total, only approximately 1000 examples of this coin were produced, all in [[proof coin|proof]] quality. 

==References==
*[http://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/suriname-12500-gulden-km-50-(1999)-cuid-55845-duid-151629 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation &ndash; (1999) Suriname 12500 Gulden KM #50]
*[http://ushamarhe.wordpress.com/about/roots-indian-diaspora/ Indian and Caribbean Diaspora]
{{Surinamese gulden}}
[[Category:20th century coins]]
[[Category:Coins of Suriname]]
[[Category:Coins with Dutch language inscriptions]]
[[Category:Coins with Latin script inscriptions]]
[[Category:Non-dated coins]]
[[Category:Round coins]]
[[Category:Silver]]
[[Category:Surinamese gulden]]