Smartminting Week: ‘When the cats away, the mice will play’ Numiscollect goes proverbial

Never let it be said that Numiscollect follows the herd when it comes to subjects for its coins, and this is a perfect example. The first in a new series called simply ‘Proverbs’ it will seek to visualise some of the famous sayings that we take for granted in everyday conversation. What better place to start than with ‘When the cats away, the mice will play’.

A proverb you could apply to everything from pets and children, to the highest echelons of government, this is one that suggests taking your eye off the ball could lead to uncontrolled mischief. The use of cats and mice was always an inspired one and Numiscollect have taken it literally with their design – almost like an homage to that most iconic of cartoons, Tom & Jerry.

Depicting what we can only describe as a rodent party, the view of the cat through the open window walking away from the house is a neat touch. Smartminting is allowing the window frame to exhibit sudden drops in relief, while maintaining the level of detail we’ve come to expect. This ability of the technique to enable these sudden changes in relief is an under-appreciated facet of smartmintings repertoire – overshadowed by the fine detail and larger diameters that more popularly take centre stage.

A two-ounce silver coin with a rimless edge and an antique finish, it has some colour highlights to enhance the design without overpowering it. Issued for Palau, that island nations shield emblem sits in the centre of the obverse. This charming coin will ship in a box with a C.O.A. and has a mintage of 333 pieces. It should be available to pre-order any time now, with shipping to be confirmed.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Proverbs! On a coin! A first in history and the series starts with “When the cat is away; the Mice will play”. We all know it! Parents away the kids make a mess. The boss away everyone stops working. Unique smartminting perspective, 2oz on 45mm blanks with partial color.

A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple, concrete, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language. Collectively, they form a genre of folklore.