Silver Two Ounces 2022 Stanisław Lem - Master of Science Fiction, Coin from Malta - detailed information

The obverse of the coin depicts in a small circle below left 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.

The rest of the obverse features a depiction of a robot as imagined in early fiction. It is a fragment of a character from Daniel Mróz’s 1972 drawing for Stanisław Lem’s Cyberiad.

Around the rim, the name of the country: MALTA, the face value 10 EURO, the date of issue 2022, and the metal content: 2 OZ AG 999 (two troy ounces of 99.9% silver).

After the 999 of the content, the small MW mint mark of the Mint of Poland (m over W), for Mennica Warszawska (Mint of Warsaw).

The reverse design features a profile of Stanisław Lem according to a photograph from the 1960s, when he celebrated his greatest triumphs and when his most important novels and collections of short stories were written. In the foreground, a model of the rocket that was in his study, and what appear to be a pyramid of books being scaled by a man.

Around above, the inscription STANISŁAW LEM.

Around below, 1921 - 2021.

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

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

The certificate that comes with the coin lists mintage of 2,000, while the mint's website lists it as 800.

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