Using high-relief typography is certainly an unusual technique in numismatics, but when your subjects are some of the more iconic sayings and metaphors from history, it becomes all the more appropriate. The subject of the first ‘Imprint of Words’ coin is a phrase we hear quite often these days, ‘Time is Money’. Attributed to the American polymath, Benjamin Franklin, it infers that perhaps time has far more value than money, because you can’t earn back the former.

Looking like weathered metal with a fine coating of iron oxide, ‘Time is Money’ is spelled out using typeset letters, like those employed in the newspaper industry before the advent of digital. Each letter seems to be in a different font. It’s a clever use of high-relief, with crisp edges and lots of texture on the letters. A simple concept, but realised with great care, and success.

This is a two-ounce silver coin with a 45 mm diameter, which comes boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity. The mintage is capped at 500 pieces. We like coins a bit different here, and this fits the bill perfectly. Available now, it will be interesting to see where the series goes from here. Veni, Vidi, Vici, anyone?