The gold treasure of the Incas | 2021 | Gold coin

The tears of the sun

The Incas saw themselves as sons of the gods, and they cultivated the sun, erecting temples dedicated to it everywhere. The best known is the Coricancha. It was located in Cusco in present-day Peru, the cultural and administrative center of the Incas. The temple did not survive the destruction during the Spanish Conquista. Today, some descriptions and remains of the walls still exist. It is known that the portals were covered with gold plates and that there was a gold sun disk inside.

For this urban indigenous culture, gold had exclusively spiritual significance. Its shine reminded them of the star that brings about all life on earth. As if the magical metal had rained down from the sky, the Incas recognized in it the "tears of the sun".

The coin images

The value side shows a stylized llama in the center. It is modeled on offerings made of gold. Behind it is a wall with an open gate and ornamentation. It refers to the Coricancha, the "Golden Temple". On the right behind the lama is a sun god with tears running from his eyes. At the bottom left is the knot script (Quipu), a script that has not yet been fully deciphered.

The other side shows an orejon, a votive offering depicting an Inca nobleman, against an ornamental background. There are gaping holes in his earlobes, the result of the ear stakes worn by the Incas.

Text courtesy of the Austrian Mint.