Gustav Klimt represents Motherhood in Art on the Mint of Poland’s latest silver coin

The Mint of Poland has debuted a new fine silver coin and master artist Gustav Klimt has found his striking artwork being used again. A popular subject for art-themed coins over the last couple of years, Klimt’s often controversial work has commanded some quite staggering sums at auction. This one is called The Three Ages of Woman, measures 180 x 180 cm, and is located in Rome at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna.

The coin weighs a standard ounce (28.28 g), but even so, manages to stretch out to a very healthy 50 mm in diameter. Just a small portion of the original art is represented here, but sitting amongst the swirled, clean-struck border, it’s obviously a good choice. An even smaller portion of the original art is seen on the obverse, but the choice of a portion of the reverse face selection is less successful. Given how many other elements are present in the striking original, including the third woman, it’s a disappointing choice.

With a diameter so large, a latex-skin floating frame would have been the perfect choice to display it, so it’s great that the Mint of Poland have done just that. Limited to 999 pieces, the Cameroon-issued coin should be available from January.

MINTS DESCRIPTION: Motherhood is the highest value in life for many women. The mother is always a special person, he has a unique relationship with her. In the painting “Three Stages in the Life of a Woman”, Gustaw Klimt introduced a sleeping young woman, hugging her baby to a naked breast. The infant seems to be an inseparable part of it. It is a picture full of warmth, tenderness, care and peace. It is a beautiful representation of mother and child, full of gentleness, goodness and love. The painting evokes nostalgia and longing for the carelessness of childhood and the warmth of the family home.

REVERSE: In the central part of the coin – a fragment of Gustav Klimt’s painting ‘Three stages in the life of a woman’ made in digital printing technology. Along the rim – decorative silver frame.

OBVERSE: In the central part of the coin, inside a separated ring – a detail of Gustav Klimt’s painting ‘Three stages in the life of a woman’ made in digital printing technology. Along the separate surface – inscriptions REPUBLIQUE DU CAMOROUN (issuer), 1000 FRANCS CFA (denomination), 2018 (year of issue).