We don’t normally cover much in the way of Christmas coins, but religious themes do remain a popular part of the modern numismatic world, so here we are with Powercoin’s latest offerings. The theme here is very much on the original biblical interpretation of this holiday, rather than the modern popularisation of reindeers, Santa, and sales.

The four coins that make up this ‘Presepe’ range are based on the Italian depictions of the birth of Christ that date back to 1223 in Greccio, Italy, where it is said that St. Francis of Assisi first staged the story using live actors and animals, to combat the rise of materialism. Looking at the shops these days, it’s fair to say that didn’t quite work out. . . As time passed, this transitioned to a more symbolic depiction, using sculpted figures in churches to recreate the scene, and that practice still continues to this day, particularly in Naples, where the miniature scenes reach astounding levels of detail and intricacy.

Obviously, Jesus, Mary and Joseph are the main figures, often alongside a donkey and an ox, in the stable scene, and while we have the first three, the animals are replaced by an angel in this range. Each one-ounce coin is shaped, and coloured, and done in what I’d describe as a Renaissance-inspired style. They’re not flashy, but well coloured in a traditional way, and as you can see in Powercoins navity scene image they supplied us, ideal for making a Presepe of your own.

Issued for Niue, their public seal appears on the obverse, and it’s joined by a Naples street scene showing off some of their impressive architecture. Each of the four is boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity, and just 150 of each design will be struck. Available to order now, they should ship around the end of November, so just in time for the Christmas celebrations.