Not only one of the most important organs in the body, the heart also has intense emotional links through almost every culture in the world. Yet, this organ is one that many of us have abused, not caring for the engine that keeps us alive. The Lithuanian Mint’s new series is called ‘Essentia’, and is set to urge us to care for our health, looking after ourselves in this rapidly paced world.

Whatever the backstory, it’s a beautiful design, the heart struck in 4mm of high-relief managing to look realistic, but not macabre. The heart is highlighted with what the mint calls ‘vintage printing’, and it sits in an equally vintage floral-patterned background. It comes in a black wooden box with a Certificate of Authenticity, with a mintage capped at 300 units.

First published as a novel in April 1891, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic of Gothic literature by the writer, Oscar Wilde. It tells the story of Dorian Gray, who, seduced by the hedonistic lifestyle of his friend, Lord Henry Wotton, sells his soul, which is then placed into a portrait of Gray painted by Basil Hallward. As a result, his image in the portrait ages, and records his sins, while the actual Dorian Gray enjoys life, and its more twisted, amoral pleasures.

This two-ounce silver coin depicts the portrait of the dapper Dorian Gray, but there are already signs of decay caused by his lifestyle. The rotten flesh under the skin has been gilded, as has the poppy (a nod to Gray’s opium addiction), forming a fine contrast to the antique finish. A gilded quote from the book sits at the top. Artist Adam Spizak has done a great job encapsulating this classic tale on a single coin face – no easy feat.

Just 500 pieces of this coin will be struck, and it comes in a black box with a Certificate of Authenticity. It is the first in a new series called ‘Reading Challenge – Memento Mori Edition‘, which will showcase some of the more fantastic and macabre stories from the world of literature.