Silver Two Hundred Grams 2022 Stanisław Lem - Solaris, Coin from Malta - detailed information

The obverse of the coin depicts in a small circle on the right the Coat of Arms of the Central Bank of Malta. At centre, a shield divided in three parts; in the top part, a horizontal key as a symbol of economic progress and security; the lower parts have "heraldic hatching" indicating a white background on the left, and a red background on the right - the colours of the flag of Malta; in the left part, the George Cross, awarded to Malta for bravery in April 1942 by King George VI. Above the shield, a crest surrounded by laurel and palm branches, symbols of honour and peace respectively, supporting a mural crown on top - symbolic of Malta's historic role as a fortress.

On the sides, the shield is supported by two armoured and helmeted Knights of Malta holding large swords, representing confidence and strength, the two virtues incorporated in the Bank's motto. These symbolise some of the greatest pages in Malta's long military history, which, for more than two-and-a-half centuries, was ruled by the Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. The plumed helmet of a knight which surmounts the shield also has a special connection to Malta as it was modelled on one found on a monument in the 16th century Co-Cathedral of St John in Valletta, built by the Knights.

On a ribbon below, the motto in Latin: FIDUCIA FORTIS ("In Confidence Strength"), and the date the bank was founded, 1968.

Around the Coat of Arms, the name of the country and the date of issue: MALTA 2022, the face value 20 EURO, and the hallmark: AG 999 (99.9% silver), followed by the small MW mint mark of the Mint of Poland (m over W), for Mennica Warszawska (Mint of Warsaw).

The rest of the obverse features a depiction of the novel's main character, psychologist Kris Kelvin. Below left, the artist's signature: Daniel Mróz.

The reverse of the coin depicts the novel's main character, psychologist Kris Kelvin, who arrives from Earth on a research station floating above the cytoplasmic ocean that covers the planet Solaris. On the planet's surface, Kelvin will encounter the most diverse creations of the living ocean. For the protagonist, contact with Solaris is also a journey into himself (symbolised by the portal visible on the coin): the conscious planet observes Kelvin (this meaning is signaled by the eye inscribed in the gate) and allows him to confront his past, fears and desires.

Around above, the inscription STANISŁAW LEM. Around below, SOLARIS.

The background is coloured, with glow-in-the-dark metallic print.

Finish: antique, coloured, selective gold plating, glow in the dark, high relief, edge numbering.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity from the Mint of Gdansk.

The series is produced by the Mint of Gdansk, with the actual striking of the coins being outsourced to the Mint of Poland.