2009 Cook Isl. $20 Silver Proof Coin "Night Watch"

• Mint: B.H. Meyer's
• Denomination: $20
• Quality: Proof
• Issue limit: 1,000 pcs.
• Alloy: 99.9% Fine Silver
• Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn
• Diameter: 2.16 inches - 55.00 mm
• Weight: 3 Ounces - 93.3 grams
• Box/Capsule: Yes/Yes
• Certificate: Yes

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ITEM IS NOT IN STOCK, BUT IS MARKED AS SUCH FOR ORDERING PURPOSES. ORDERS ARE ACCEPTED NOW AND DELIVERY WILL BE IN LATE APRIL. THERE IS A $50 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT PER COIN THAT WILL APPLY AT PURCHASE.

This issue is part of a series of 3 ounce Swarovski crystal insert silver coins with beautiful pad color printing of classical masterpieces.

Rembrandt painted "The Militia Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq" between 1640 and 1642, later called the "Nacht Wacht" by the Dutch and the "Night Watch" by Sir Joshua Reynolds because, upon its discovery, the picture was so dimmed and defaced by time that it was almost indistinguishable and looked like a night scene. After it was restored, it was discovered to represent broad daylight — a party of musketeers stepping from a gloomy courtyard into the blinding sunlight. The piece was commissioned for the new hall of the Kloveniersdoelen, the musketeer branch of the civic militia. Rembrandt departed from convention, which ordered that such genre pieces should be stately and formal, rather a line-up than an action scene. Instead he showed the militia readying themselves to embark on a mission. What kind of mission is a matter of debate. Contrary to years of speculation, the work was hailed as a success from the beginning. Parts of the canvas were cut off (approximately 20% from the left hand side was removed) to make the painting fit on the designated wall when it was moved to Amsterdam town hall in 1715. The painting now hangs in the Rijksmuseum (National Museum), Amsterdam, where it occupies the entire rear wall of the largest gallery.