With domed coins enjoying a big wave of popularity, there’s a growing selection of fine designs appearing on the market. Like art-architectural, and ancient mythology coins, the domed variety attracts an inordinate amount of very high quality issues, so nobody here is complaining. Astronomy and sport seem to be the most common subjects, with architecture bringing up the rear. Architecture is where we are for this neat new coin.

Struck in three ounces of fine silver, this new coin depicts the ceiling of the dome of Berlin Cathedral. The reverse, concave face carries a pretty accurate reproduction of the high-point of the ceiling. Wisely not trying to depict the whole of the domed interior, it concentrates on the central section with its heavily gilded radiating design, in the centre of which sits a classic German eagle motif. The original is very attractive and AllCollect have done a fine job in carrying that over. The obverse features the usual effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, no more than you’d expect given the issuer is the Solomon Islands.

An important note, and the reason we’re not as quick as usual with this article, is the proliferation of different pictures of this coin on the various dealers stocking it. Some images show a very thin edge and extreme concavity, but those are incorrect. After clarifying, we can confirm the image of the coin on edge below is the correct one, a far more realistic look for a coin – the front on view is an early render. The concave face reaches a good depth at 4mm. The renders are unrealistic in comparison.

The packaging can only be described as first class. The box interior holds the coin in a surround that shows the surrounding part of the dome, this giving the coin some superb context when displayed. The lid interior incorporates a large mirror and when the coin insert is placed correctly (see image), it reflects back to give the appearance of looking up at the cathedral interior. Not something you would use often to be honest, but a nice touch, and indicative of the thought that has gone into this release. Available now for around €400 / $450 USD, this is a premium release.

It’s full name is the Evangelical Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church, but it’s simply known by most as Berlin Cathedral. It is located on the famous Museum Island in Mitte, Berlin, just a short walk from a plethora of museums housing such treasures as the mask of Nefertiti and the Pergamon Gate.

Not an old cathedral, the building was finished just over a century ago in 1905, although a church has existed on the site since 1465. Not strictly speaking a true cathedral as no bishop is in residence there, it is a main work of Historicist architecture of the “Kaiserzeit”. It was designed to be a Protestant equaivalent to St. Peters Basilica in Rome, which goes some way to explaining the particularly ornate interior. The domed cathedral, measures 144 x 73 meters and was designed by Julius Raschdorff in a high Renaissance style replete with Baroque decoration.

Struck by an Allied fire bomb during the second world war, it wasn’t until 1975 that reconstruction started, the interior from 1984. Highly opulent, a love of Emperor William II who ordered the buildings construction, the chancel features three large stained glass windows depicting the epict the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

The dome as featured on the coin is 98 metres high and decorated with mosaics by Anton von Werner. Just below the dome is a gallery that affords a wide view of the cathedral interior reached via the Kaiserliches Treppenhaus (Imperial Stairwell), a 267-step staircase. It’s possible to walk around the outside of the dome to view Berlin.