Possibly the biggest proponents of fine art in modern numismatics is the Mint of Poland. Several series, some reaching double figures in issue numbers, have featured great works of art, not just from the genre’s rock stars, but also from artists a little out of the mainstream. One of the latter is noted Polish realist painter, Józef Chełmoński.

Born in 1849, his interest in art was fostered by his father at an early age. At 18, he studied at the Warsaw Drawing Class, under celebrated artist, Wojciech Gerson, followed by travel around Europe, honing is craft in such places as Munich, Paris, and Vienna, before returning to Poland in 1887, where he remained until his death in 1914.

He left behind a fine body of work, including the subject of the Mint of Poland’s first issue in this series, ‘Storks’. Painted in 1900, it depicts a farmer with his son, taking a break from working the land, looking up to see a muster of storks flying overhead. A lovely image, it remains one of his most popular. Fortunately, the mint has not encumbered the work with superfluous inscriptions, or excessive cropping, and it remains beautifully presented on this 17.5 gram proof silver coin.

Hanami is a traditional Japanese custom, and literally means ‘flower viewing’. As you no doubt suspected, this is particularly linked to the island nation’s iconic cherry blossoms, which bloom from the end of March, to early May, attracting locals, and tourists’ in countless numbers. Because the blossoms only last a week or two, the Japanese Meteorological Agency has a blossom forecast, so people can plan to visit in the two weeks the trees remain in bloom.

The mints coin captures the Hanami tradition beautifully. A small Japanese structure, with a bridge over water, on which is a small boat, forms the backdrop, viewed as if looking through a small round window. Around the edge, are some coloured cherry flowers. Hanami is inscribed in English and Japanese. A pretty homage to a Japanese cultural icon.

The last of the three coins we’re looking at today is the most impressive of the three, and leans on a constant theme in modern numismatics – Ancient Egypt. It’s ironic, because the Egyptians didn’t issue coins until around 360 BCE, and mainly to pay Greek mercenaries, so it doesn’t have that history of numismatics like Greece and Rome did. However, the art and iconography of this civilisation is so unique, and iconic, that it remains immensely popular to this day.

After the pyramids, perhaps the most popular Egyptian icon is the tragic Queen Cleopatra, who flew too close to the Roman flame, and paid the ultimate price. Here, she is depicted as a stunning woman, wearing the traditional gold & lapis lazuli headdress, along with a gold neck band, from which hangs a scarab ornament. In the headdress is inset a red crystal. It’s a fine rendering, although Cleopatra is depicted with a modern look.

The background is a succession of concentric rings of hieroglyphics, which just looks terrific. Overall, this high-relief, two-ounce coin is a fine design, and the antique finish suits it well. The obverse is a little dull, sadly, but the display frame the coin comes in means you won’t have to stare at the effigy anyway.