The Legend of Scylla and Charybdis follows Pandora’s Box in Powercoin’s distinctive silver coin series
Pandora’s Box is one of those mythical objects that has become a common reference in moden culture, so its choice as the first subject in Powercoins new silver coin series last April, was a clever one. A stunning coin, it set a high bar for the genre and certainly got collectors interested in what would come next. What comes next is the story of Scylla and Charybdis.
Another Greek tale, the Ancient Greeks were certainly an inventive lot, the legend of these two mythical forms sitting either side of the Straits of Messina, wrecking ships, has also entered the modern popular conciousness. Ships sailing through the Strait were said to have to choose to sail closer to Scylla, or to Charybdis, both equally dangerous, so the phrase ‘Between Scylla & Charybdis’ has come to be associated with a forced choice between two evils.
The coin design takes that ‘swirling into the abyss’ look that made Pandora’s Box so cool looking and applies it to Scylla and Charybdis. The ship balanced precariously between the two forces in the form of a mermaid and a whirlpool, is seen about to fall to its inevitable doom into the fanged maw in the coins centre. It’s a fantastic interpretation of the old myth, replete with sea monsters that carry on in the border of the obverse. Issued for Palau, that micronations pretty shield emblem sits in the centre of the obverse.
At three-ounces of fine silver, packed with smartminted high relief and antique finishing, this isn’t a bargain basement offering, but a fine example of the numismatic art. We particularly like this series as it competes in a packed genre, but manages to do so with a unique choice of subject and an equally unique artistic style. Packaging is neat enough and the mintage of 666 just about right. Another fine issue in a series that will surely become eagerly awaited in future.
SCYLLA & CHARYBDIS
Scylla and Charybdis were mythical sea monsters noted by Homer; Greek mythology sited them on opposite sides of the Strait of Messina between Sicily and Calabria, on the Italian mainland. Scylla was rationalized as a rock shoal (described as a six-headed sea monster) on the Calabrian side of the strait and Charybdis was a whirlpool off the coast of Sicily.
They were regarded as maritime hazards located close enough to each other that they posed an inescapable threat to passing sailors; avoiding Charybdis meant passing too close to Scylla and vice versa. According to Homer’s account, Odysseus was advised to pass by Scylla and lose only a few sailors, rather than risk the loss of his entire ship in the whirlpool.
MINTS DESCRIPTION: This stunning 3 Oz Silver coin is the second issue from the “Evil Within” series and is dedicated to Scylla and Charybdis, two monsters of Greek mythology. The coin features stunning High Reliefs and details thanks to the Smartminting technology, an Antique Finish quality and comes in a case, along with the Certificate of Authenticity. Limited mintage of only 666 pcs worldwide.
The reverse of the coin depicts the image of a boat navigating between Scylla and Charybdis. Scylla was a sea monster on the Calabrian side of the strait and Charybdis was a whirlpool off the coast of Sicily. The sea monster covers the design by passing from the reverse, to the obverse of the coin. On the top of the obverse, the inscriptions: “SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS” – the name of the coin and “REPUBLIC OF PALAU” – the issuing country. On the bottom, the inscriptions: “20 $” – the face value and “2020” – the year of issue.
SPECIFICATION | |
DENOMINATION | $20 Palau |
COMPOSITION | 0.999 silver |
WEIGHT | 93.3 grams |
DIMENSIONS | 50.0 mm |
FINISH | Antique |
MODIFICATIONS | High-relief, Smartminting |
MINTAGE | 666 |
BOX / COA | Yes / Yes |
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