Long-running Sacred Art architectural coin series arrives in Paris with the famous Notre Dame Cathedral
One of the primary competitors to Coin Invest Trust’s seminal Tiffany Art series, Sacred Art has been an annual fixture now since 2011, although the first two years saw three coins issued per year. Struck in 50 grams of fine silver, the coins are diamond shaped and incorporate a coloured glass window that reproduces one of the stained-glass windows from the featured building, each coin depicting one of the world’s most impressive religious structures.
We have a full Coin Series Profile to the range which is worth a look to see some of the excellent designs that have graced it and this new Notre Dame issue fits in perfectly. Last year saw the introduction of SmartMinting to the series for the first time and the benefits when applied to the Pisa Cathedral coin were plain to see. Enhanced levels of relief and prominence were fully evident and it’s good to see that has carried over to this one.
As has been the case in the past, the reverse face depicts a view of the building exterior and the obverse of the interior. The coloured glass insert this time is a miniature reproduction of the Rose Window that was installed in the mid-thirteenth century. These have always contained plenty of detail and this one seems to carry on with that trend. Shaped to mimic the original window rather than a coin-specific aperture, the whole coin has obviously had plenty of care and attention applied to it. Produced with the help of CIT, it’s another Numiscollect coin that hits the mark and holds up well to the competition and at a generally lower price. They’ve improved considerably since the early issues, taking full advantage of new minting technologies introduced recently.
Coming supplied in a box with a certificate of authenticity, this Notre Dame coin will certainly not disappoint collectors of the series. Available for pre-order now, it should ship in mid-Q4.
2017 SACRED ART NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL SILVER COIN
NOTRE DAME DE PARIS
Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. The cathedral is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, and it’s among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world. The naturalism of its sculptures and stained glass serve to contrast it with earlier Romanesque architecture. The cathedral treasury contains a reliquary, which houses some of Catholicism’s most important relics, including the purported Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the True Cross, and one of the Holy Nails.
Notre-Dame de Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress. The building was not originally designed to include the flying buttresses around the choir and nave but after the construction began, the thinner walls grew ever higher and stress fractures began to occur as the walls pushed outward. In response, the cathedral’s architects built supports around the outside walls, and later additions continued the pattern. The total surface area is 5,500 m² .
Many small individually crafted statues were placed around the outside to serve as column supports and water spouts. Among these are the famous gargoyles, designed for water run-off, and chimeras. The statues were originally colored as was most of the exterior., but the paint has worn off. The cathedral was essentially complete by 1345. The cathedral has a narrow climb of 387 steps at the top of several spiral staircases; along the climb it is possible to view its most famous bell and its gargoyles in close quarters, as well as having a spectacular view across Paris when reaching the top.
The most significant change in design came in the mid 13th century, when the transepts were remodeled in the latest Rayonnant style; in the late 1240s Jean de Chelles added a gabled portal to the north transept topped off by a spectacular rose window.
2017 SACRED ART SILVER COIN SERIES
MINTS DESCRIPTION
The 11th issue already in this award winning series. With ultra high relief Smartminting in 999 silver so the relief comes out of the coin as not seen before. A window inserted with a beautiful image of the rose window. Who doesn’t know the Notre-Dame de Paris.
New Smartminting ultra high relief; now pure silver. Including a real miniature of the glass. Antique finish combined with a color window. Very limited mintage.
SPECIFICATION
| NAME | 2017 SACRED ART |
| DENOMINATION | $10 Palau |
| COMPOSITION | 0.999 silver |
| WEIGHT | 50.0 grams |
| DIMENSIONS | 42.00 x 42.00 mm |
| FINISH | Antique |
| MODIFICATIONS | Inset window, smartminting |
| MINTAGE | 999 |
| BOX / COA | Yes / Yes |
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