Numiscollect launches the first of its ‘Then and Now’ series charting mans progress through the ages

There’s no denying that the pace of human progress, for better or worse, has been accelerating at a phenomenal pace. It’s hard to believe that less than 65 years passed between our first powered flight, and landing a man on the moon. What better subject for a coin series than charting that progress from event to event.

First out of the starting gate is a celebration of mans thirst for discovery. The reverse face depicts one of the most well known of the early exploratory voyages – the journey undertaken by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, on behalf of the Spanish monarchy, was back in 1492. The scene of Columbus at landfall, giving thanks for safe passage, and claiming everything for Spain, is beautifully realised in ultra high relief, aided by the lashings of detail enabled by Smartminting. Just the coin title is inscribed here, mercifiully keeping the design free of excessive intrusion.

The obverse jumps into the future, hopefully not too far, to depict a potential Martian landing. The dream of a base on the Red Planet is shown, built for scientific research. Sadly, the reality is, the first thing built on Mars will be an Amazon distribution centre selling Tesla cars, but we guess it’s the taking part that counts… Because the strike uses the enhanced Smartminting that debuted early this year, this face is also alive with ultra high relief detail, even including the neat little ‘coin pedestal’ that holds all the issue details and the effigy of QEII like it did on CIT’s lovely ‘Majestic Eagle’ range.

A terrific idea for a coin range, and one that makes use of state of the art minting technology to bring it to life in a way that a flatter strike would fail to do. This is a two-ounce 0.999 silver coin, a nice drop from Numiscollects less affordable three -ounce format, and is struck to a proof finish. Despite that, the mintage is still a very tight 333 pieces. presented in a box with a Certificate of Authenticity, this is an impressive debut and bodes well for a subject with almost endless possible subject choices. Perhaps medicine will be a good next choice given how much 2020 sucked. Talking of which, the coin is set to ship fn Q2-2021, but as always, it’s possible that Coroney might stick a spanner in the works again. Available to pre-order now.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The first issue in the “Then & Now” series is all about Exploration. Voyagers Thirst for Discovery! Using the reloaded Smartminting making the impossible possible this is the future! The reverse depicts Columbus landing in the Americas and the obverse Mars exploration & settlement. Minted in the best PROOF quality on a 2oz pure silver 45mm blank. Two side ultra high relief. Just 333 pcs are released worldwide!

Columbus left Castile in August 1492 with three ships, and made landfall in the Americas on 12 October (ending the period of human habitation in the Americas now referred to as the pre-Columbian era). His landing place was an island in the Bahamas, known by its native inhabitants as Guanahani.

The planet Mars has been explored remotely by spacecraft. Probes sent from Earth, beginning in the late 20th century, have yielded a large increase in knowledge about the Martian system, focused primarily on understanding its geology and habitability potential. Engineering interplanetary journeys is complicated and the exploration of Mars has experienced a high failure rate, especially the early attempts.

Roughly sixty percent of all spacecraft destined for Mars failed before completing their missions and some failed before their observations could begin. Some missions have met with unexpected success, such as the twin Mars Exploration Rovers, which operated for years beyond their specification.

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION $10 Cook Islands
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 62.2 grams
DIMENSIONS 45.0 mm
FINISH Proof
MODIFICATIONS Smartminted ultra high-relief,
MINTAGE 333
BOX / C.O.A. Yes / Yes