Numiartis’ puzzle coin series returns with John Collier’s 19th century painting of the iconic tale of Lady Godiva

Wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, Lady Godiva became an icon because of the legend that she rode naked on horseback through the streets of Coventry. With her modestry only maintained through the judicious placement of her long flowing hair, she rode her horse to get remission from the oppressive taxes her husband had placed upon his tenants. She was an actual historical figure, although the tale of the ride appeared over two centuries later and is not considered truth.

Lady Godiva has obviously inspired many a piece of art, including literature and paintings, but the example chosen for the second in Numiartis series of coins is that by late 19th/early 20th century artist John Maler Collier OBE. An artist accomplished in the Pre-Raphaelite style, he produced a variety of works, including portraits of the Duke of York and the Prince of Wales, both later to be kings, Rudyard Kipling, Field Marshall Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Charles Darwin, Professor Huxley, and the Maharajah of Nepal. Lady Godiva is one of his most popular works.

The coin is the second in the series and follows a Gustav Klimt effort in 2019, (this is the 2020 issue). Like that coin, this overlays the painting onto a three ounce silver coin struck with the layout of a mostly completed jigsaw puzzle. The section that isn’t complete holds the inscribed series title, ‘So Puzzle Art’. That section is reproduced on the obverse and is also coloured, in direct contrast to the antique finish used elsewhere. The background field of this side holds a neat incused version of the main image, along with the coin title and the national shield of Cameroon.

These are healthy sized coins, even allowing for the three ounce weight, stretching out to an impressive 65 mm in diameter. The rimless strike works well, and we’re particularly pleased by the choice of subject – something a little different from the usual line-up of artists that appear on modern numismatics. The coin will come nicely boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity, of course, and is available now. Just 340 of these will be produced, and you can get them from distributor Intercoins-Berlin, or many other dealers worldwide.

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION 3,000 Francs CFA (Cameroon)
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 93.3 grams
DIMENSIONS 65.0 mm
FINISH Antique
MODIFICATIONS Colour
MINTAGE 340
BOX / C.O.A. Yes / Yes