Well known for their sumptuous designs featuring artwork from medieval Europe and Icon art from Russia and its surrounding countries, JVP have developed and occupied a niche in the numismatic world that is only recently being approached by others. With series such as Orthodox Shrines, World Heritage, and Russian Emperors, in their portfolio, it’s clear they do things a little differently there. This new coin is from the long-running World Heritage series, and unlike most series of coins, these vary wildly in shape and design, choosing to sit with a broad theme rather than within the confines of a strict format.

There have been many coins over the years depicting some of the major players in what we know as the Abrahamic religions, and JVP have featured many of them. This latest release features a reproduction of a Valencian painting from circa 1405 that was painted Tempera on wood. With the original (below right) being over a metre-squared in size, we can imagine it to be an impressive and imposing sight, awash with ground gold as it is. While the coin can’t possibly replicate every nuance, the mint has done what looks to be a fine interpretation, especially considering the transition to a high-relief strike. The gilded background to the coin shows some intricate and original design and the uneven edge and crinckled finish is reminiscent of the superb Clovis to Republic coins struck by the Monnaie de Paris.

Whether this subject matter is of interest or not, there’s no denying the level of quality on offer here. We’ve seen numerous coins from the World Heritage series in hand, and they’re invariably beautifully produced and struck by Swiss mint, PAMP. Packaging is of the highest order as usual, a little gaudy , but top end stuff, and includes a detailed Certificate of Authenticity. Available shortly.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Michael (“who is like God?”, Hebrew: מִיכָאֵל‎ (pronounced [mixaˈʔel]), Micha’el or Mîkhā’ēl; Greek: Μιχαήλ, Mikhaḗl; Latin: Michael (in the Vulgate Michahel); Arabic: ميخائيل‎, Mīkhā’īl) is an archangel in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as “Saint Michael the Archangel” and also as “Saint Michael”. Orthodox Christians refer to him as the “Taxiarch Archangel Michael” or simply “Archangel Michael”.

Michael is mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel, once as a “great prince who stands up for the children of your people”. The idea that Michael was the advocate of the Jews became so prevalent that in spite of the rabbinical prohibition against appealing to angels as intermediaries between God and his people, Michael came to occupy a certain place in the Jewish liturgy.

In the New Testament Michael leads God’s armies against Satan’s forces in the Book of Revelation, where during the war in heaven he defeats Satan. In the Epistle of Jude Michael is specifically referred to as “the archangel Michael”. Christian sanctuaries to Michael appeared in the 4th century, when he was first seen as a healing angel, and then over time as a protector and the leader of the army of God against the forces of evil. By the 6th century, devotions to Archangel Michael were widespread both in the Eastern and Western Churches. Over time, teachings on Michael began to vary among Christian denominations.