PMC take their innovative copper-silver hybrid coin format into the prehistoric world with an ammonite fossil adorned issue
It seems to be a bit of a ‘Prehistoric Monday’ today, as we take a look at another coin from the far past. Precious Metal Collector’s (PMC) latest offering couldn’t be any more different to Numiscollect’s if it wanted to, however. Here, we’re going back hundreds of millions of years, and entering the fossil domain with a super new ammonite coin. Even the coin format is very different.
Ammonites are a semiregular object in the coin world, the prettiest of the new wave being CIT’s first Evolution of Life issue, in our view, especially in kilo form, but there is another type – coins that incorporate actual fossil ammonites. German producer MCI-Mint, who appear to have gone from the scene, did one with, IIRC, a Madagascan half ammonite slice glued to the reverse, but it was quite unsophisticated by today’s standards. What PMC have produced is something much more monolithic.
Using their copper-silver hybrid technology, in this case Bi-Metal Reverse, we have an ounce of fine silver forming the obverse of an 11.5 oz copper coin. The result is an 80 mm diameter, and it’s thicker than a politician. It might be marked as a 1 oz silver coin, but this thing is impressively large. That silver obverse also carries some decent high-relief rock texture, and the emblem of Chad, PMC’s signature issuer. The rim is reminiscent of MDM’s excellent ‘Double Silver Giant’ series.
The design replicates an archaeological dig site, complete with tools, and rocks scattered around. This face is concave, giving enough depth to take the fossil ammonite, without it looking perched on top, like the old MCI coins and giving just enough leeway for the finishing process – enamel. Bordered by that distinctive raised rim, the concave reverse is filled with a clear enamel to seal it all in. We’re in two minds over the necessity of the effect, but it still remains attractive enough.
The ammonite on this sample will not be identical on every one of the 688 coins, of course. They will vary in size a little, and the colour will also be subtly different, but you’re seeing the finished article as it will fundamentally look. We love that variation, really hammering home the natural processes involved, in a way a fully struck coin couldn’t possibly replicate.
The coin comes boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity, and is available to order now. We hope it’s a success, as we’d love to see more like it. It also reminds me to get cracking with that Thematic Guide I’ve been working on for ages…
MINTS DESCRIPTION
Iridescent Ammonite Fossils are the remains of ancient marine creatures that lived during the Mesozoic Era, specifically during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. These fossils are known for their striking iridescent sheen, which is caused by the preservation of the fossil’s original shell material, made of aragonite mineral that reflects light in different colours. Ammonites, the creatures these fossils are from, were common inhabitants of the ancient seas and were abundant during the Mesozoic Era. They played an important role in the marine ecosystem as both predators and prey. Excavating these fossils is a delicate process that requires a skilled palaeontologist, often found in sedimentary rock formations.
Iridescent ammonite fossils hold great significance for palaeontologists, as they provide valuable insights into the past, offering a glimpse into the ancient marine ecosystem and the creatures that inhabited it. They also serve as an important link to the evolutionary history of cephalopods and the Earth’s geological history. In addition to their scientific significance, they also hold great aesthetic and decorative value. They make beautiful and unique decorative pieces and are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Overall, Iridescent Ammonite fossils are a fascinating and valuable discovery for both scientists and enthusiasts alike.
| SPECIFICATION | |
| DENOMINATION | 5,000 Francs CFA (Chad) |
| COMPOSITION | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver with 11.5 oz copper |
| DIMENSIONS | 80.0 mm |
| FINISH | Antique |
| MODIFICATIONS | High-relief, clear resin, ammonite fossil |
| MINTAGE | 688 |
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