Mennica Polska is proud to present “A Trip to the Moon” – the latest coin in the iconic “Silent Film Classics” series. This is a numismatic and limited-edition coin commemorating “A Trip to the Moon”, a film directed by Georges Méliès, one of the key figures in the history of cinema, who is today regarded as a pioneer of the science fiction genre.

The magic of cinema’s beginnings

“A Trip to the Moon” is the third of four coins in Mennica Polska’s “Silent Film Classics” collection. On the reverse of this silver disc, the design is dominated by a gold-plated oval of the Moon with an anthropomorphic face. A silver space capsule (projectile) is embedded in the right eye of the coin’s protagonist. This now universally recognised iconic film scene has been juxtaposed with mysterious elements of nature.

–  We wanted this coin to be more than just another item in the collector’s collection. What makes it unique is the iconic frame and the surreal, fantastical motif we have woven into it. The mushrooms featured in the composition and the sparkling stars in the background form a whole that symbolises the times when cinema was just beginning to take root, was undiscovered and full of magic – says Michał Goździewski, coin designer at Mennica Polska.

The obverse is common to the entire “Silent Cinema Classics” series. It depicts a cinema auditorium with the curtain drawn, and in the centre appears the inscription “The End” – a farewell to the iconic era of silent cinema and the conclusion of the cinematic tale immortalised in a silver disc.

For film buffs and collectors

“A Trip to the Moon” by Mennica Polska is a 1-ounce coin of the highest-purity silver (Ag 999), weighing 31.1 g and issued in a limited mintage of 500 copies.

The coin features an ‘antique finish’ minting technique, which gives it a distinctive character and depth. The ageing of the surface through the oxidation of the relief enhances the three-dimensional effect and highlights the details of the design.

This gives the coin a more refined and contrasting appearance. Selective gilding has been used to highlight the silhouette of the moon, the central figure of the scene depicted.

More information about “Silent Film Classics”:

The “Silent Film Classics” series consists of coins featuring motifs from classic films now regarded as precursors of cinema. The collection includes coins referencing films such as:

• “Nosferatu” (1922) – the first great horror film and a classic of German Expressionism, featuring the iconic figure of Count Orlok emerging from the shadows.
• “Metropolis” (1927) – Fritz Lang’s monumental dystopia, featuring the icon of science fiction cinema: the humanoid robot Maria.
• “A Trip to the Moon” (1902) – Georges Méliès’s fantastical vision, which to this day captivates with its imagination and surrealism. The famous face of the Moon struck by a rocket has been rendered using gold plating.
• “The Kid” (1921) – Charlie Chaplin’s touching and timeless tale of the relationship between a tramp and an abandoned boy. The coin features a striking contrast of black and red alongside the film’s distinctive title.

The coin inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s film “The Kid”, due to be released this year, will be the fourth of four planned issues and will conclude the series. Each of these designs is a standalone, fully-fledged collector’s item, distinguished by its unique design and meticulous craftsmanship. This is a series created for collectors, film enthusiasts and all those who value numismatics as a form of contemporary storytelling.

“Aim for the moon. Even if you don’t reach it, you’ll land amongst the stars.”

Norman Vincent Peale