Powercoin taps into the ancient trading links between Egypt and India, with a cultural mix for five new coins

It’s a little discussed fact that Ancient Egypt had relatively well-developed links with India. Sailing via the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean, vessels plied their trade for centuries, carrying silk, precious stones, and spices from India, while transporting textiles, perfumes and precious stones from Egypt. By Egypt’s Roman period, trade was booming, and along with goods, came cultural exchanges, with art and ideas mixing between Egypt, and Indian Buddhist communities.

Powercoin’s latest release, Leaves of the Nile, is a mix of the two cultures. Richly coloured Egyptian imagery is no stranger to modern numismatics, indeed, being one of the more popular themes, but having it overlaid onto coins shaped like a leaf is new. Leaf art is a staple of Indian art to this day, with a long religious history. The Bodhi leaf comes from the sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa), said to be the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, and it’s extensively used for art.

The mix for these coins is perhaps balanced more towards an Indian appreciation of Ancient Egypt, than vice versa, joining India’s love of leaf art, with its long history, and outward looking nature. Whatever the original intention, it’s a clever merging of cultural tropes, and actual historical links.

Each one-ounce silver coin is struck to a proof standard, and is gilded, with high-res colouring of the subject. The choice of subjects is a little predictable, but sensible, for maximum appeal. The art is excellent, especially Isis, which fits the coin shape exceptionally well. All five coins are issued now, and come presented in a floating frame box. Only 99 of each design will be offered, so don’t hang about!