All hail our bug overlords! Powercoins’ latest Clockwork Evolution coin is a mechanical Ladybird
A neat surprise last year was the release of the first Mechanical Evolution coin by Rome-based dealer/producer, Powercoin. Tapping into that continuing cultural trend for the fusion of the biological and the mechanical, it showed us what could happen when mechanisation is applied to the smallest facets of our natural world – insects. It started with a bee, and for the second coin we’ve stayed in the entomological world with the Ladybird.
It’s another very striking design, fully smartminted, with sharply defined high-resolution, and rich colouring. The Ladybird, or Ladybug if that’s what they call them where you are, is shown with its elytron (wing covers) opened to expose an intricate, geared interior mechanism. The head and thorax are similarly adorned. Indeed, this is more of a machine in the guise of a natural creature, than an amalgamation of the two. It’s a neat concept, with what looks to be a first-class implementation.
The common obverse returns, and it continues with the watch-like geared mechanicals. The design is well-defined, varied, and suitably enhanced by the black proof finish. The corralling of the issue details to the centre of one such gear-wheel, is a very nice touch. As we’ve often said, inscriptions can make or break a designs’ integrity, and too often not enough thought is given to their placement. No such problems here.
Neat packaging rounds out another unusual, and attractive release from Powercoin. The Certificate of Authenticity is included in the box, and the serial number is also engraved on the edge of the coin. It’s a three-ounce coin, so you’ll have to dig deep to the tune of circa €400 for one, but that’s typical at this level. The mintage of 999 means availability should be decent. Available now, it should ship around the end of August.
MINTS DESCRIPTION
This spectacular 3 oz Silver coin is the second issue in the Clockwork Evolution series, depicting evolved animals with both organic and mechanical parts. In this issue: Mechanical Ladybug. The coin features an innovative multi-layer technique, has a vivid colouration and comes in a beautiful case, along with the Certificate of Authenticity. Limited mintage to only 999 pcs worldwide.
The coin’s reverse depicts a ladybug with both natural and mechanical parts. Its spread wings are bright red and are true to nature, whereas its head and inner body are made up of gears, pistons, and other mechanical parts. The ladybug appears to be resting on a flower, which also has organic and mechanical components. The year of issue is shown on the right: “2021.” The coin’s obverse depicts an intricate clock mechanism with many details in High Reliefs. The Mongolian Coat of Arms and the inscriptions: “2000 TOGROG” – the face value, “MONGOLIA” – the issuing country, and “3 OZ.999 SILVER” – the weight and fineness of the Silver can be found on the left side of the obverse.
| SPECIFICATION | |
| DENOMINATION | 2000 Togrog (Mongolia) |
| COMPOSITION | 0.999 silver |
| WEIGHT | 93.3 grams |
| DIMENSIONS | 45.0 mm |
| FINISH | Black proof |
| MODIFICATIONS | Ultra high-relief, Colour, Smartminting |
| MINTAGE | 999 |
| BOX / C.O.A. | Yes / Yes |
Oh no! As someone who is a proud owner of the mechanical bee this coin has just created an eyebrow to be raised higher than the other. The devil on my left shoulder saying just get it, you know its coming at some point anyway, and the halo wearing freak on my right shoulder whinging about energy and food price increases, overdrafts, the cats vet bill and the wrath of wife but what does he know. But anyway if i was to give a little critisism i think they should have just had 1 colour on the coin, the flower its sat on is too busy and detracts from the design of the ladybird, it should be a touch smaller and sat on a plane silver background with minor floral and industrial details round the edge.
LOL. I’m like that, finding little things I’d do differently in almost every coin I see. That’s the beauty of art. I have a couple of designs of my own I’d love to do, and after release, I’d probably still think exactly the same.
As for buying, well, cat first of course, and then just budget for a bribe to offset the wrath of wife…