Powercoin’s Micromosaic Passion silver coins have a new companion series – Micropuzzle Treasures
Some of the best ideas in coins are more the result of taking simple ideas that are new and unusual, rather than outright gimmickry, as many have done. A good case in point was Powercoins pretty Micromosaic Passion coins, of which there have been three to date, A gloriously simple idea, just strike the coin to look as if the image upon it was formed of mosaic tiles. A clever choice of classic art as the subject, along with a meticulous level of detail resulted in a beautiful idea made real.
Powercoin have now taken the concept and made something a little different with it, although close enough in execution to appeal to the same collectors. Called Micropuzzle Treasures, instead of a mosaic tile pattern, the coin image is broken up like a jigsaw puzzle, complete with multiple pieces not yet in their proper place. There’s no gimmicks here and it’s a clean strike with colour added, but nevertheless, an intriguing idea. The choice of Vincent van Gogh’s classic Starry Night is a good one.
The obverse looks to be a common one for this series and carries the shield emblem of the island nation of Palau at its centre. Surrounding that, set over a puzzle piece background, is the inscribed title. It’s quite a similar layout to the aforementioned Micromosaic Passion design, although themed for this series, of course.
This is a 3oz fine silver coin, rimless and benefiting fully from CIT’s proprietary Smartminting techniques, With the mintage capped at just 499 pieces, this is obviously a higher end issue, but so was Micromosaic Passion, which has enjoyed continued popularity on the aftermarket. The coin will come packaged in a nice box with a Certificate of Authenticity. The serial number will also appear on the edge of the coin. Available to pre-order this week, it will ship in late Q1/2020. A great issue from a producer choosing subjects just that little bit different.
VINCENT VAN GOGH’S ‘STARRY NIGHT’
If any year could be described as a traumatic one for Dutch post impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, it would be 1889. On 23rd December 1888 he had a breakdown in which he undertook the famous self-mutilation of his left ear. Realising the danger, on 08 May 1889 he admitted himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole lunatic asylum.
Painted in early June 1889, Starry Night is his interpretation of the view from his east facing window of his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It is depicted just before sunrise, and he has added what he considered to be an idealised village in the foreground.
The painting is a 737 x 921 mm oil on canvas and part of a prolific output from the period, which also included such highly regarded works as the Irises, and the blue self portrait. The Starry Sky work currently resides in New York at the Museum of Modern Art, where it has done so since 1941. It is considered not only one of Van Gogh’s best works, but one of the finest in history.
SPECIFICATION | |
DENOMINATION | $20 Palau |
COMPOSITION | 0.999 silver |
WEIGHT | 93.3 grams |
DIMENSIONS | 65.0 mm |
FINISH | Proof |
MODIFICATIONS | High-relief smartminting, colour |
MINTAGE | 499 |
BOX / C.O.A. | Yes / Yes |
Mik,
Once again….hands down best site for the coin enthusiast.
The Mosaic Passion collection has 3 issues total, I believe the most recent “Girl w/ Pearl Earring” has yet to be released.
Looking at this next “Starry Night” puzzle coin, I became curious of how it was going to be minted.
I count 13 puzzle pieces that are separated from the mostly completed larger puzzle.
Tend to think these 13 pieces are actually individual struck pieces that will be adhered to the larger portion?
The whole surface being done with a single die would seem unlikely to me….any thoughts?
Hi Bob, thanks for the kind words. Yes, you’re right, there have been 3 issues and I’ve updated to suit. Strange mistake given we’ve covered all three,
As for the strike, it is a single piece. Smartminting is well capable of that level of definition and if you look at the positioning of the loose pieces, you can see that none overhang the empty space. A neat trick that works well.
Thanks for the response Mik.
I own many CIT / BH Mayer smartminted coins including one of the aforementioned Passion coins and know how well they pull things off, ……BUT this coin being struck with one die is amazing.
I know that the pic is not of a real coin, and it will be interesting to see in the coin hand.
If they can make it look close to the initial stock image then that is some serious minting !
I.E. the outlines of the already in-place puzzle pieces that sit below the unplaced pieces seem to be right up to very clean edges of the unplaced pieces that sit atop them….amazing work for sure.
That lack of any noticeable gap is what caused me to think it possibly may have been separate struck pieces.
Anyway for me, it’s always nice to know some of those details beforehand.
Thanks again for sharing your time and this great website.
I too have the complete set of the birth of Venus, Mona and Girl…I love the set. Absolutely beautiful. The series took off when the Venus coin won the award for most innovative. The price shot to the moon and never looked back. The other two have done well too. I’m happy to say that I have COA 499 of the Venus coin.
This series will promise to be a good one, especially if they can make the actual look as crisp as the picture. Let’s hope!
I’m in too-they’re all beautiful & unique.
Hi guys,
thanks a lot for your comments about our coin and thank you Mik for your great article.
We have real images in our website and in our instagram account (powercoin.it) and also the image used to compose the cover of this article is of the actual coin.
I can confirm thay the coin is made with a single die and the three levels (base, main puzzle and pieces on top) has been a big challenge, but the final result is stunning, all edges are sharp and precise.
I can provide also a couple of facts:
1) the surface of the pieces is not flat like a real puzzle but reproduces with tiny reliefs the brush strokes. In pictures is a bit difficult to appreciate.
2) if you virtually take the pieces not in place, they perfectly match the shape and the design to complete the puzzle.
Thanks everybody for appreciating this coin so much!
Antonello – Power Coin
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Antonello! Great insights into what we already knew was a beautiful piece. Now I can’t wait to hold it in hand to appreciate its beauty, splendor and granular details!! Absolutely stunning ideas brought to life on a precious metals! Kudos to you and team for thinking outside the box!!
Van Gogh would appreciate the technical skill & artistry involved. Van Gogh is smiling.
Wow. Have you seen the prices of these things? Going through thru the roof. In speaking with Antonello, he said dealers from all over the world were calling him wanting it. He said the demand was for 6500, and we know there are only 499 (thankfully). We know what happens when the demand far exceeds supply. It’s a beautiful piece. I was able to get multiples…thank you mosaics gods. :-))
I’m not at all surprised.
and more updates. I’ve heard that people have been scouring the earth, literally to find a dealer who will sell them this coin. LPM and Power coin are the only two who have it available. They’re already fetching 1k. Staggering, considering it is only a few days into the release of the news. If they win most innovative, look out above. Although, not sure if ‘mosaics’ will 2 times with the same technology. My bet is on the multifaceted coins from the RCM, that took them 2 years to develop. Although, I hope I’m wrong and mosaics win again. Lol.