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Wednesday 22 February 2023

2698) Stanisław Lem (12.09.1921-27.03.2006), Polish writer of hard science-fiction genre, philosopher and futurologist, Republic of Malta: Four Coin Variants issued to commemorate his works, minted by the Gdansk Mint, Poland on behalf of the Central Bank of Malta: Dates/Year of Coins issue: May/June 2023:

2698) Stanisław Lem (12.09.1921-27.03.2006), Polish writer of hard science-fiction genre, philosopher and futurologist, Republic of Malta: Four Coin Variants issued to commemorate his works, minted by the Gdansk Mint, Poland on behalf of the Central Bank of Malta: Dates/Year of Coins issue: May/June 2023:

Stanisław Lem (12.09.1921-27.03.2006), Polish writer of hard science-fiction genre, philosopher and futurologist:

He was born in Krakow, Poland. 

His works dealt with such topics as the development of science and technology, human nature, the possibility of communication between intelligent beings and the place of man in the Universe. 

Lem's works contain references to the state of society and scientific and philosophical reflections on it.  

In addition to science fiction stories, such as 'The Star Diaries' or the Pilot Pirx adventure series, Lem's oeuvre includes detective novels ('Investigation'), futurological essays and treatises (e.g. 'Summa technologiae'), poetry, screenplays for radio plays, films or dramas, as well as the unique space fairy tale 'The Robot Fairy Tales'. 

One of the many expressions of international recognition of Stanisław Lem's work was the naming of the asteroid discovered in September 1970 after him, as well as the first scientific satellite built entirely in Poland. 

In Poland, Stanisław Lem's books are published by Wydawnictwo Literackie, with which the writer has been associated for almost his entire career.

The Commemorative Coins:

The Central Bank of Malta in collaboration with the Mint of Gdansk, Poland will be issuing these four Coin Variants in May and June 2023 respectively. 

The coins depict 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. 

i) SOLARIS 200GR AG 999 €20:

"Solaris" is Stanislaw Lem's most famous novel. 

In this book, the author takes up one of the most popular themes of fantasy literature - the theme of "Contact". 

With an alien civilisation, a different form of life, or perhaps simply with the "Unknown", Lem does not explicitly state this. Perhaps this is why Solaris continues to fascinate several decades after its first publication.

The Reverse and Obverse of the 20 Euro Silver Antique Finish Coin placed together.

The Reverse of the €20 (Twenty Euro) Silver Antique Finish 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 upper periphery is inscribed "STANISLAW LEM".

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 signalled by the eye inscribed in the gate) and allows him to confront his past, fears and desires. 

The Obverse of the €20 (Twenty Euro) Silver Antique Finish Coin, on the other hand, features an adaptation of Daniel Mroz's graphic design.

At left is seen Daniel Mroz's signature, while at centre right is depicted the Coat of Arms/Emblem of the Republic of Malta. The peripheral inscriptions are - "MALTA. 2022. 20 Euro. AG 999".

The background of the Reverse is decorated with a metallic colourful print. What is more - the coin glows in the dark! Selected parts of the image have been covered with fluorescent printing.

The specifications of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Republic of Malta; Date/Year of Coin issue: June 2023; Coin Theme: "Stanislaw Lem - Solaris"; Coin Denomination: €20 (Twenty Euro); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 200 grams; Diameter/Size: 65.00 mm; Coin Quality: Antique Finish (AF) with Fluorescent Printing; Minted By: Mint of Gdansk, Poland; On Behalf Of: Central Bank of Malta; Mintage: 100 pieces.

- The coin is packaged in an elegant wooden box with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

ii) SOLARIS 2OZ AG 999 €10:

The Reverse of the €10 Silver Antique Finish Coin depicts the novel's main character, psychologist Kris Kelvin, who arrives from Earth at a research station floating above the cytoplasmic ocean that covers the planet Solaris. 

It is a scene from the finale of the novel, when Kelvin alone explores the surface of Solaris amidst the fantastic shapes created by the living ocean. 

Stanisław Lem was a futurologist, which is why the coin was refined using unique, modern techniques.

The background of the Reverse is decorated with a metallic colourful print, while the star is selectively plated with gold. What is more - the coin glows in the dark! Selected parts of the image have been covered with fluorescent printing. 

The Obverse of the €20    (Twenty Euro)       Silver Antique Finish Coin, on the other hand, features an adaptation of Daniel Mroz's graphic design.

At left is seen Daniel Mroz's signature, while at centre right is depicted the Coat of Arms/Emblem of the Republic of Malta. The peripheral inscriptions are - "MALTA. 2022. 20 Euro. AG 999".

The specifications of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Republic of Malta; Date/Year of Coin issue: May 2023; Coin Theme: "Stanislaw Lem - Solaris"; Coin Denomination: €10 (Ten Euro); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 62.2 grams or 2.00 Oz; Diameter/Size: 45.00 mm; Coin Quality: Antique Finish (AF) with Fluorescent Printing; Minted By: Mint of Gdansk, Poland; On Behalf Of: Central Bank of Malta; Mintage: 2,000 pieces.

- The coin is packaged in an elegant wooden box with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

iii) DANIEL MROZ AND STANISLAV LEM 200G AG 999 €20:

The Reverse and Obverse of the 20 Euro Silver Coin.

The Reverse of the 20 Euro Silver Coin shows representations of Daniel Mroz and Stanislaw Lem.

Stanislaw Lem: 

He was a Polish writer of the hard science-fiction genre, philosopher and futurologist. His works dealt with such topics as the development of science and technology, human nature, the possibility of communication between intelligent beings and the place of man in the Universe. Lem's works contain references to the state of society and scientific and philosophical reflections on it.

Daniel Mróz:

He was a visual artist, graphic designer, set designer and illustrator who created some of the most famous illustrations for Stanislaw Lem's short stories. His illustrations are very distinctive; he constructed them with precise stenciling, hundreds of thin black lines, which are reminiscent of the woodcut stencil, prevalent in 19th century illustration. 

The Obverse of the €20 Antique Finish 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: multi-storey lacy symmetrics, asymmetrics and mimoids. 

Seen on this face is a fragment of a character from Daniel Mroz's 1972 drawing for Stanisław Lem's 'Cyberiad'.

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 signalled by the eye inscribed in the gate) and allows him to confront his past, fears and desires.

The background of the Reverse is decorated with a metallic colourful print. What is more - the coin glows in the dark! Selected parts of the image have been covered with fluorescent printing.

The specifications of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Republic of Malta; Date/Year of Coin issue: May 2023; Coin Theme: "Stanislaw Lem - Solaris"; Coin Denomination: €20 (Twenty Euro); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 200 grams; Diameter/Size: 65.00 mm; Coin Quality: Antique Finish (AF) with Fluorescent Printing; Minted By: Mint of Gdansk, Poland; On Behalf Of: Central Bank of Malta; Mintage: 100 pieces.

- The coin is packaged in an elegant wooden box with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

iv) Stanislaw Lem 2.00 Oz Silver 10 Euro Coin:

The Reverse of the €10 Antique Finish Coin 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 can be seen. 

Stanisław Lem was a futurologist, which is why the coin was refined using unique, modern techniques: the background of the reverse is decorated with a metallic colourful print, while the rocket is selectively plated with gold. 

What is more - the coin glows in the dark! Selected parts of the image have been covered with fluorescent printing.

The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver Antique Finish Coin shows a fragment of a character from Daniel Mroz's 1972 drawing for Stanisław Lem's 'Cyberiad'.

The specifications of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Republic of Malta; Date/Year of Coin issue: May 2023; Coin Theme: "Stanislaw Lem"; Coin Denomination: €10 (Twenty Euro); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 62.2 grams or 2.00 Oz; Diameter/Size: 45.00 mm; Coin Quality: Antique Finish (AF) with Fluorescent Printing; Minted By: Mint of Gdansk, Poland; On Behalf Of: Central Bank of Malta; Mintage: 2,000 pieces.

- The coin is packaged in an elegant wooden box with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).







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