A masterpiece in silver, Numiscollect debut Art Revived coin series with the Mona Lisa

A popular theme for modern precious metal numismatics, the world of art is a rich vein of source material and lends itself well to coin producers with the recent trend towards experimentation. Numiscollect are a producer with a fine history of trying new things and pushing the envelope in different directions, or with just using the tools available today in interesting ways.

High-relief has been the go-to trend over the last few years and with good reason. Done right, this technique can produce quite extraordinary results and there has been a string of amazing examples over this decade. Colour has been added to the equation since techniques in its application have become more sophisticated and capable, it now being possible to apply high-quality colour to complex high-relief designs.

Numiscollects latest series is called Art Revived and sets out to take original works or art and ‘enhance’ them for a better depiction on a coin. Many coins in this genre are quite basic, just having a limited amount of design actually struck into the metal and with the artwork displayed simply in colour print. This is quite different, taking the main element, Lisa Gherardini, and raising it from the background. This is then highlighted with subtle colour shading, enhancing the sense of depth and perspective. The background is more fully coloured with what looks like a well realised copy of the painting. Issued for Palau, the obverse features their attractive fantasy aquatic themed shield emblem along with the date. The reverse inscriptions include the painting name, the dates it was painted between and a facsimile of Da Vinci’s signature.

The first in a new series, the one-ounce silver coin is a clever departure in a genre not one that traditionally pushes boundaries. As we stated earlier, there’s plenty of inspiration with this subject matter and we’d expect some further interesting releases going forward. Packaged in a high-quality box and with a certificate of authenticity, the coin should be shipping around the end of the month for approximately €150. Mintage is limited to 999 pieces and it’s available to order now from several of our sponsors.

2017 ART REVIVED: MONA LISA PROOF SILVER COIN

MINTS DESCRIPTION

We are going to revive art! In this first issue of a new spectacular series we’ll improve the masters piece. Ultra high detailed portrait with it’s original background in color. The Mona Lisa is known by everyone!

The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait of Lisa Gherardini by the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, which has been described as “the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world”. And we will improve it! The subject’s expression, which is frequently described as enigmatic, the monumentality of the composition, the subtle modelling of forms, and the atmospheric illusionism were novel qualities that have contributed to the continuing fascination and study of the work.

COIN VIEWS SHOWING RELIEF

SPECIFICATION

NAME 2017 ART REVIVED MONA LISA
DENOMINATION $5 Palau
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 31.1 grams
DIAMETER 38.61 mm
FINISH Proof
MODIFICATIONS High-relief with colour
MINTAGE 999
BOX / COA Yes / Yes