Numismatics Catalog

South Africa

2017

This South African commemorative coin presents a striking conceptual contrast between human anatomy and natural symbolism. One side features a detailed anatomical human heart, rendered with scientific precision, referencing medical knowledge, research, and the life-sustaining core of the human body. The reverse displays the Protea, South Africa’s national flower, symbolizing life, resilience, and identity. Together, the two sides create a thoughtful dialogue between science and nature, emphasizing innovation, biological understanding, and the interconnectedness of human life and the natural world through contemporary numismatic design.

Greece

2022

This commemorative coin issued by Greece honors the Antikythera Mechanism, widely regarded as the world’s earliest known analog computer. The design features a detailed representation of the corroded bronze fragments recovered from the ancient shipwreck, emphasizing the device’s complex system of gears used to predict astronomical phenomena such as eclipses, planetary movements, and calendrical cycles. Greek inscriptions reference ancient technology and scientific achievement, underscoring the profound sophistication of Hellenistic engineering. The coin serves as a tribute to humanity’s early pursuit of scientific understanding and Greece’s foundational role in the history of astronomy and mechanics.

Cook Islands

2023

This commemorative silver coin issued for the Cook Islands is part of the Historic Instruments series and is dedicated to the astrolabe, one of the most important scientific instruments of the ancient and medieval world. The design features detailed representations of navigation and astronomical tools, including an astrolabe, compass rose, telescope, hourglass, and celestial symbols, illustrating humanity’s early efforts to measure time, chart the stars, and navigate the globe. The obverse bears the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the denomination of ten dollars. The coin highlights the astrolabe’s crucial role in astronomy, navigation, and the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Cook Islands

2021

This commemorative silver coin depicts the Chicxulub Crater on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, the impact site of the asteroid believed to have caused the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) mass extinction event approximately 66 million years ago. The design features a circular crater motif with a colorized central insert representing the ocean above the impact site, emphasizing the scale and geological significance of the event. The Chicxulub impact is widely accepted by scientists as the cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other species. Issued as a modern collectible, the coin highlights one of the most important turning points in Earth’s natural history.

Austria

2020

This commemorative bi-metallic coin was issued by the Austrian Mint in 2020 as part of its Silver–Niobium series focused on science and technology. The design explores the concept of Big Data and digital transformation. The colored niobium core features abstract data fields, pixelated structures, and an eye motif symbolizing data collection, analysis, and surveillance. The silver outer ring incorporates technical symbols and interface-like elements referencing information systems and digital infrastructure. The coin reflects the growing role of data in modern society and Austria’s innovative approach to contemporary numismatic design.

Austria

2019

This commemorative bi-metallic coin was issued by the Austrian Mint in 2019 as part of its Silver–Niobium series dedicated to scientific themes. The coin explores the concept of evolution, combining biological history with modern genetics. The colored niobium core depicts the evolutionary progression from early primates to modern humans, while the surrounding silver elements reference DNA structures, molecular symbols, and scientific instrumentation. The reverse highlights genetic codes and evolutionary diagrams, emphasizing the connection between natural selection and contemporary genetic research. The coin reflects Austria’s innovative approach to numismatics through the integration of science, education, and advanced minting technology.

Austria

2021

This commemorative bi-metallic coin was issued by the Austrian Mint in 2021 as part of its Silver–Niobium series focused on future-oriented technologies. The design explores the concept of smart and sustainable mobility, highlighting modern transportation systems and digital infrastructure. The colored niobium core depicts interconnected urban pathways featuring bicycles, electric vehicles, hydrogen energy symbols, and public transport, while the silver outer ring illustrates various modes of mobility such as trains, buses, and shared transport solutions. The coin reflects innovation in urban planning, energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible transportation.

Austria

2018

This commemorative bi-metallic coin was issued by the Austrian Mint in 2018 as part of its innovative Silver–Niobium series and is dedicated to the science of anthropology. The coin combines a silver outer ring with a green-colored niobium core. One side features stylized human footprints symbolizing the evolutionary journey of humankind, while the reverse presents a human figure set against a global grid, referencing humanity’s spread across the Earth. The design reflects scientific exploration of human origins, development, and global interconnectedness, and showcases Austria’s advanced minting technology using niobium coloration.

United States

2019

This commemorative dollar coin was issued by the United States Mint in 2019 as part of the American Innovation $1 Coin Program, honoring individuals whose discoveries and achievements shaped American history. The obverse features the Statue of Liberty holding a torch, symbolizing enlightenment and progress. The reverse is dedicated to George Washington Carver and depicts gears representing innovation, alongside his signature and the inscription “American Innovators.” Carver is recognized for his pioneering agricultural research and scientific contributions that advanced sustainable farming practices in the United States.

Austria

2016

This commemorative bi-metallic coin was issued by the Austrian Mint in 2016 as part of the innovative Silver Niobium series. The coin explores the concept of time through layered mechanical and symbolic imagery, combining a silver outer ring with a vividly colored niobium inner core. One side features a stylized clock face with Roman numerals and exposed gear elements, while the reverse presents interconnected wheels, symbols, and numerals representing the passage and measurement of time. The use of niobium allows for distinctive coloration, making the coin a notable example of advanced modern minting technology.