Owner Comments:
Palau Eternal Sculptures I
2016 – Cupid & Psyche
This 2 Oz Silver Coin is the first issue of the new series “Eternal Sculptures” and is dedicated to a love story, originally from Metamorphoses, and well known sculpture - Cupid and Psyche. For the first time, a coin has two-sides Smartminting! This coin features marble effect, has unbelievable details on the high relief surface and a Black Proof quality.
Limited mintage to only 999 pcs worldwide.
Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss is a sculpture by Antonio Canova first commissioned in 1787 by Colonel John Campbell. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Neoclassical sculpture, but shows the mythological lovers at a moment of great emotion, characteristic of the emerging movement of Romanticism. It represents the god Cupid in the height of love and tenderness, immediately after awakening the lifeless Psyche with a kiss. The story of Cupid and Psyche is taken from Lucius Apuleius’ Latin novel The Golden Ass, and was popular in art.
Joachim Murat acquired the first or prime version in 1800. After his death the statue entered the Louvre Museum in Paris, France in 1824; Prince Yusupov, a Russian nobleman acquired the 2nd version of the piece from Canova in Rome in 1796, and it later entered the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
Having been recently awakened, Psyche reaches up towards her lover, Cupid, as he gently holds her by supporting her head and breast. Antonio Canova’s fine technique in carving marble contrasts their realistic smooth skin with the surrounding elements. Loosely draped around Psyche’s lower body, a sheet further emphasizes the difference between the texture of skin and drapery. Rough texture provides the basis of the rock upon which the composition is placed supplementing the distinctions of elements. Fine curls and lines make up the hair and light feathery details create realistic wings upon the landing Cupid.
The obverse of the coin depicts the famous sculpture Cupid and Psyche, in very high relief. In the center of the coin, this two protagonists are hugging in a love scene. The special paint used for the sculpture creates a beautiful marble effect. All around of the obverse, a floral decorative pattern all around the border. On the right side of the obverse, the logo and the name of the series: "Eternal Sculptures" and "Cupid and Psyche" – the name of the coin. In the bottom of the coin, an attractive inscription of the issue year with roman numbers: "MMXVI" - 2016.
The reverse of the coin depicts the other side of the sculpture, in High Relief and finished in the same marble effect. All around of the reverse, a beautiful decorative pattern. On the right side, the Coat of Arms of Palau and the face value: "10 Dollars".
Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also named Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. The larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees. ― Google
Capital: Ngerulmud
Official languages: Palauan, English
Continent: Oceania
Government: Republic, Unitary state, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Non-partisan democracy
Currency: United States Dollar
Population: 18,024 (2021) World Bank
Number of islands: 340 britannica.com
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.