Cook Islands – World of Flowers – Poppy in Cloisonné – $5 – 2009 – Proof Silver Crown – COA – The term “Cloisonné” comes from French and means “subdivided”, separated by walls. Cloisonné is a unique enamel art technique. The process begins by soldering the outline onto a copper sheet with a silver wire. This wire pattern serves as a separator for each color. Then the originated compartments are filled with enamel colors and afterwards the form is fired in the oven at temperatures of 1,300 to 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit. The enamel in the little compartments will sink down a bit after firing. That will require a refilling. This process goes repeatedly until the little compartments are filled. Finally the surface of the work piece is polished and the silver web is electrolytically gilded to prevent an eventual oxidation. The favorite cloisonné designs are mostly elaborate flower motives and floral swirls. In our case it is a magnificent poppy. In English speaking regions the red poppy has an important meaning; it is a symbol in memory for soldiers killed in action. Thus the Remembrance Day for war victims is also called Poppy Day. It is celebrated every year on the 11th November; on the day the weapons were silenced in the First World War. It is also known as the Polish national flower. Total mintage on this beautiful legal-tender coin was limited to 2,500 pieces worldwide. The coin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.