Palau Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn Gilded Silver 2009

Palau: Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn gold-plated $5 Silver 2009 is a collector coin commemorating one of the most venerated Marian images of Central and Eastern Europe — Our Lady of Ostra Brama, also known as Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn.

The image of Our Lady of Mercy is located in the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius and has been venerated for centuries by the faithful of both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The original painting, created around 1630 on eight oak boards by an unknown artist, was adorned in the 17th century with a silver and gold robe, and in 1927 it was solemnly crowned with a double crown.

The coin is struck in .925 silver, weighs 25 g, and has a diameter of 38.61 mm. The Proof finish highlights the design details, while selective gilding lends the image a sacred and solemn character, echoing the richly decorated robe of the original painting.

Issued by Palau, it carries a face value of 5 dollars and was released in 2009. The mintage is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide, making it a prized item among collectors of religious-themed coins.

Reverse of the coin: depicts the image of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn in a characteristic pose — with bowed head and crossed hands — within a halo of rays symbolizing mercy and protection.

Obverse of the coin: features the official elements of the issuing state, including the country name Palau, the year of issue, and the denomination, in a classic layout typical of collector issues.

The motif of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn is especially close to the faithful in the countries of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, such as Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine, as well as in the worldwide diaspora. The coin represents not only numismatic value, but also a symbol of spiritual tradition and centuries-old devotion.