2018 FANTASTIC WORLDS OF JULES VERNE by Czech Mint

The French novelist Jules Verne (8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905) is the second-most translated author of the last 50 years, just behind Agatha Christie and it’s easy to see why. The sense of spectacle and wonder weaved in his novels has near universal appeal – appearing in countless adaptations from the early age of moving pictures through to the 21st century. As a literary world full of wonder, Jules Vernes work is a perfect subject for a coin series.

The Czech Mint launched a four-coin set showcasing some of the fantastical devices that sprang onto the pages of Verne’s science-fiction novels. To kick off the series, the mint has chosen the most well known of them all – the submarine called Nautilus from the superb 1870 novel, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Telling the story of a renegade genius, Captain Nemo, and his attempt to punish civilisation for what it had done to his family, it’s an incredibly forward-looking work, with the Nautilus having several features that were unknown at the time but have since been invented and implemented on modern submarines.

The design of the coins in this series is by Russian artist Asamat Baltaev, also responsible for the Czech Lion silver bullion coin last year. He’s done a fantastic job and the Nautilus coin is a hugely dynamic piece and one not afraid to mix traditional and stylistic touches to create a greater whole. The following three coins were tightly tied to Nautilus in their style and the series is very cohesive as a whole.

The obverse is a common one to the series and as a Niue issue features the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of QEII in its centre. The coins come in a small box with an enclosed certificate of authenticity – one much like those used by the Austrian Mint. Those collecting the whole set will likely prefer the themed tin that holds all four coins.It sold for just €8, and it’s good that the mint has resisted the urge to charge an extortionate amount for it and the enclosed artwork. A really cool series of proof one-ounce silver coins with a mintage of just 1,000 pieces.

COIN 01: NAUTILUS

Jules Verne enthralled the world by stories of extraordinary inventions that overtook their time in the 19th century. Although we often take them for granted, we are happy to recollect unforgettable adventures. A silver coin from the Czech Mint´s new miniset, which is devoted to Nautilus submarine, will bring you to the first expedition of “Fantastic World of Jules Verne”.

The legendary undersea vessel is used by mysterious captain Nemo in order to fight against the earthly tyrants that represent the world´s colonial powers. A bitter man, whose name means Nobody in Latin, is in fact a warrior from India, which had been repressed by England for centuries. Nemo´s victims have long been mistaken when believed that an unknown aggressive beast attacked them. It sank the ships by broking their hips through the armoured fore of the submarine until the american expedition attempting to harpoon the metal monster found its honor. So the story of the French novel “Twenty Thousand miles Under the Sea” begins. Verne’s description of the submarine is so precise that it could fit even the current machine. There is also a ballast tank system, electromagnetic propeller, sodium battery cells, or oxygen production devices based on electrolysis of water. All this was in 1870. How could Verne predict? He had an extraordinary curiosity and limitless imagination. He was interested in technological progress, while carefully studying the model of the French submarine vessel Plongeur at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1867. He certainly did not overlook the fate of the Confederate vessel Hunley, which carried out the first successful underwater attack in history during the American Civil War in 1864.

COIN 2: ALBATROSS FLYING SHIP

When the mysterious engineer Robur rushed into the Philadelphia Airline, his members thought he was a fool. Hearings on hovercraft heavier than air were laughing and persisting in the belief that the best way to conquer the heavens is to control the airship. So that Robur could prove his truth, kidnapped a few aviatics, introduced them his breakthrough invention and took them on an adventurous journey around the world … So begins the story of Jules Verne’s science-fiction novel “Robur the Conqueror” of 1886.

The description of his invention was incredibly accurate, and in a long time he was ahead of time. Albatros flew on a similar principle as today’s helicopters. A set of thirty-seven horizontally rotating counter-propellers carried it. The vessel was made of hardened pressed paper, fueled by fuel-cell electricity and it was capable of developing a speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour. The electric airship La France inspired him a lot. It took a breakthrough controlled flight in 1884 and managed to return to the start inspite of the wind.

COIN 3: MECHANICAL ELEPHANT

When engineer Banks invites colonel Munro to travel to the northern parts of India, it looks like a hunting adventure is waiting for them, recognizing the impassable jungle and the deep hill of the Himalayas. A walking elephant steam-driven colossus, originally made as a toy for a wealthy radiant should serve as a means of transport. Their expeditions soon turn into a bloody way for revenge. There is the indigenous rebellion against colonial domination in India and Munro encounters an old enemy named Nana Sahib … This is the story of Jules Verne’s science-fiction novel from 1880.

Although it is a lesser known Verne story, it has come out fourteen times, nine of which under the name Earth of beasts, twice as Nana Sahib and three times with the title of Steel Pearl. A literal translation of the original French title of the book is Steam House. An enormous mechanical elephant, which carries two residential bungalows, provides travelers with all the conceivable comfort of the late 19th century. Unlike a traditional train, the elephant does not need rails and is also capable of cruising on the water – its legs act as paddle wheels and the raised trunk serves as a chimney.

COIN 4: COLUMBIAD SPACE GUN

The president of the Baltimore shooting club convenes its members to familiarize them with their revolutionary ideas shortly after the end of the American Civil War. He believes he can build a cannon so powerful that it can reach the moon. The idea will inspire all the participants and preparations begin immediately. They count cannon, projectile, and gunpowder specifications, and try to get unimaginable finances for their space business. French adventurer who would like to become a passenger of their projectile and set out to visit our closest cosmic neighbor will have a surprise for them …

This is the story of Jules Verne’s science-fiction novels From Earth to the Moon (1865) and Around the Moon (1870). The French writer miraculously managed to predict several real scientific facts. For example, a 270-meter-long cannon buried in the ground is located in Florida near to the real spaceport at Cape Canaveral, where Apollo 11 the crew of which actually reached the moon started hundreds of years later. Adventurers in the book, as well as today’s astronauts, use rockets to correct the flight path, and their journey ends by landing on the ocean. Verne, however, made several mistakes when he underestimated the effects of overload, weightlessness and vacuum.

PACKAGING OPTIONS

A successful medal maker Asamat Baltaev, DiS became the author of the adventurous commemorative coin. The reverse side is dominated by NAUTILUS trapped in the grip of a giant squid, which is one of the classic scenes of the novel. The obverse side of the coin is then a showcase of inventions that will gradually emerge in the “Fantastic World of Jules Verne” miniseries. Alongside the Nautilus submarine you will find an airship Albatros, a mechanical steam elephant and moon cannon Columbiad. All of this is linked to the attributes of Niue Island, which is the coin issuer. Since the coins of the Czech Mint are based on this foreign license, they bear the name and portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of the issue 2018.

All four coins can be stored in a stylish collector’s box, which is otherwise made of metal. Its cap is decorated with graphics of old novels by Jules Verne, and you will find a spectacular illustrated attachment inside.

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION $1 New Zealand
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 31.1 grams
DIAMETER 37.00 mm
FINISH Brilliant uncirculated
MODIFICATIONS None
MINTAGE 1,000
BOX / COA Yes / Yes