Powercoin revisits its hit Micropuzzle Treasures series with a five-ounce special of Michaelangelo’s Creation of Adam

After five coins, Powercoin’s ‘Micropuzzle Treasure’ series drew with a close with the release based on ‘Doni Tondo’, a fresco by Renaissance legend, Michaelangelo Buonarrotti. Michaelangelo is back for this new, larger issue, a five-ounce special edition, sporting an increase in diameter from 65 to 80 mm. While Doni Tondo isn’t one of the most well-known of the master’s works, everyone will know the subject of this issue.

The Creation of Adam, part of the legendary ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, is unquestionably one of the most famous images in history. Depicting God and Adam reaching out a hand to each other, it’s said to depict Adam receiving the gift of life, although there are a number of other theories, some quite complex and esoteric. We’ll likely never know what was going through Michaelangelo’s mind as he created the fresco back around 1508-1512.

Collectors who’ve dabbled in this series will know the concept well, but put simply, the artwork is reproduced in part on the coins, and struck into the surface is a pattern of fine lines breaking the image down into faux jigsaw puzzle pieces. A small area struck at a lower level is depicted incomplete, and the missing pieces are scattered around that area, but struck proud of the main image, rather than incused into it. For this special edition, the pieces of the jigsaw are not aligned on a parallel grid, but instead, are aligned radiating out from the centre. A small change, but a neat one, nevertheless.

The obverse is a mildly tweaked one from the original quintet of three-ounce coins, The packaging has been revamped, with an attractive, themed wooden box, sporting a neat-looking jointing between the base and the lid. It’s all very swish. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, and only 499 pieces will be struck, so enough for everyone that bought the other coins, which had the same mintage. A stylish, and unexpected release, it’s available to order now for around €650, but won’t ship until next May. Worth the wait.