During the 19th edition of the BNP Paribas Two Riversides Film Festival in Kazimierz Dolny, Mennica Polska [Mint of Poland] presented the first coin from its new collector's series, “Silent Cinema Classics.” The series opens with an issue dedicated to one of the most influential films in the history of cinema – “Nosferatu” directed by F.W. Murnau.

This year's edition of the Festival is the third in which Mennica Polska has participated as a sponsor, contributing its own artistic narrative to the event. This time, it is a numismatic interpretation of the iconic image of German expressionism – the “Nosferatu” coin.

The reverse of the coin depicts the iconic silhouette of Count Orlok emerging from the darkness. The chiaroscuro effect has been achieved using high relief and selective oxidation, which deepens the contrast and adds depth to the details. The common obverse of the entire series features a stylized cinema curtain with the inscription “THE END” – a symbolic conclusion to the film story immortalized in silver.

– We wanted to capture the fleeting nature of light and shadow that silent cinema used to build emotions and transfer this language to silver. When working on the concept of the series, the graphic design and its visual setting, we wanted it to be more than just a silver object, but a carrier of emotions and film narrative, said Anna Ziętek, Director of Marketing and Brand Communication at Mennica Polska [Mint of Poland].

The “Nosferatu” coin was minted from the highest grade silver (Ag 999) and weighs 31.1 g. Its mintage is limited to 500 copies. The premiere of the coin was combined with a special screening of the film “Nosferatu” in the ruins of the Kazimierz castle. The screening took place at night, on July 31 at 9:00 p.m., in a setting where light and shadow created their own spectacle. It was a unique experience that allowed viewers to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of classic cinema – literally and symbolically.

– We have been cooperating with Mennica Polska [Mint of Poland] since 2023. It was a difficult moment in the history of our festival, when Mennica Polska [Mint of Poland] really showed us great support. It is a partner with whom we cooperate not only in the purely budgetary sphere and mutual services, but also a creative partner. Last year, on the occasion of the Year of Gombrowicz, Mennica Polska [Mint of Poland] issued a coin dedicated to the author of Ferdydurke at the BNP Paribas Two Riversides Festival, which was very well received. Earlier, a unique coin dedicated to our wonderful Nobel Prize winner, Wisława Szymborska, was created, and this year we have another surprise in store – the premiere of the “Nosferatu” coin, said Grażyna Torbicka, artistic director of the BNP Paribas Dwa Brzegi Festival.

Silent Film Classics

The “Nosferatu” coin inaugurates a new collector's series entitled “Silent Film Classics,” dedicated to legendary works of world cinema. It is a four-part collection of silver coins, created by Mennica Polska [Mint of Poland] as an artistic interpretation of the most groundbreaking works from the early history of cinema. Each issue refers to a different genre, style and emotion, and together they create a visual story about the era of the pioneers of the tenth muse.

The design of each coin is a film frame captured in the highest quality silver (Ag 999), using techniques such as high relief, selective oxidation and printing. The obverse of all coins features a stylized cinema curtain with the inscription “THE END” – a subtle reference to the aesthetics of old movie screenings and a visual link between all coins in the series.

Find out more: Mennica Polska | Nosferatu.

The series includes:

• “Nosferatu” (1922) – the first great horror film and a classic of German expressionism, with 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' fantastic vision, which still amazes with its imagination and surrealism. The famous face of the Moon hit by a rocket has been rendered with gold plating.

• “The Kid” (1921) – Charlie Chaplin's touching and timeless story about the relationship between a tramp and an abandoned boy. The coin features a contrasting combination of black and red with the distinctive title of the film.

Each coin will be minted in a limited edition and is a separate, full-value issue, available in an elegant case. This is a project for collectors, cinema lovers, and anyone who appreciates numismatics as a form of contemporary storytelling.

Special screening of “Nosferatu” at the BNP Paribas Dwa Brzegi Festival | Mennica Polska