How smart is your coin? Bet it isn’t as smart as MDM’s dimensional ‘The Brain’ coin from Samoa.
The last few years have seen an impressive uptick, not just in numbers, but also in the complexity of fully dimensional coins. I think the first truly breakout design was the Mint of Poland’s pretty Fortuna Redux coin, back in 2013, which wasn’t just an aesthetic success, but also a technical one, employing some really cutting edge minting techniques. Since then, we’ve seen more in the way of geometric designs, and many more with quite unique shapes,
Continuing with that, German producer MDM has issued its newest piece, and it’s quite a unique item – a miniature reproduction of the human brain, formed in two-ounces of 0.999 silver. Everyone has a brain (except heathens who hang the toilet paper roll with the end dropping from the back…), and while they’re not all as symmetrical as this one, the coin does a great job of depicting one.
It’s hard to know what else to say, really. It’s a brain, issued for Samoa, and measuring in at around 50 x 35 x35 mm. That size indicates the coin is a cast hollow one, as even halving a cube of those dimensions to account for the coin’s shape, gets us to ten ounces, but there’s a fine proof-like finish on the underside ‘coin’ pill with the issue details, regardless. It comes neatly boxed, with a Certificate of Authenticity, and has a mintage of 1,499 pieces. It’s good to see MDM keeping up with their knack for the truly different. Long may it continue. Available to order now.
THE HUMAN BRAIN
The human brain is the central organ of the human nervous system, and with the spinal cord makes up the central nervous system. The brain consists of the cerebrum, the brainstem and the cerebellum. It controls most of the activities of the body, processing, integrating, and coordinating the information it receives from the sense organs, and making decisions as to the instructions sent to the rest of the body. The brain is contained in, and protected by, the skull bones of the head.
The cerebrum, the largest part of the human brain, consists of two cerebral hemispheres. Each hemisphere has an inner core composed of white matter, and an outer surface – the cerebral cortex – composed of grey matter. Each hemisphere is conventionally divided into four lobes – the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. The frontal lobe is associated with executive functions including self-control, planning, reasoning, and abstract thought, while the occipital lobe is dedicated to vision.
The cerebrum is connected by the brainstem to the spinal cord. The cells of the brain include neurons and supportive glial cells. There are more than 86 billion neurons in the brain, and a more or less equal number of other cells. Brain activity is made possible by the interconnections of neurons and their release of neurotransmitters in response to nerve impulses.
The brain is protected by the skull, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, and isolated from the bloodstream by the blood–brain barrier. However, the brain is still susceptible to damage, disease, and infection. Damage can be caused by trauma, or a loss of blood supply known as a stroke. The brain is susceptible to degenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, dementias including Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia and clinical depression, are thought to be associated with brain dysfunctions. The brain can also be the site of tumours, both benign and malignant; these mostly originate from other sites in the body. (SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)
| SPECIFICATION | |
| DENOMINATION | $5 Samoa |
| COMPOSITION | 0.999 silver |
| WEIGHT | 62.2 grams |
| DIMENSIONS | 35 x 35 x 50 mm |
| FINISH | Matt Proof-like |
| MODIFICATIONS | Dimensional, high-relief |
| MINTAGE | 1,499 |
| BOX / C.O.A. | Yes / Yes |
Leave A Comment