For reasons of sheer workload more than anything, we tend to stick to just precious metal commemorative and bullion coins, choosing for the most part to avoid bimetallic coins and medals. Thirty kilo statues are well off of our radar, but we couldn’t help featuring these two statues that APMEX are currently selling. At 1,000 and 500 ounces in weight, they generate an interest all of their own.

Arte Divine, authorized by the Vatican Observatory Foundation (VOF), (a foundation that works with scientists, philanthropists and the Catholic Church to facilitate and promote scientific research of the heavens. They have a big telescope apparently.) produce reproductions of works in the Vatican for people to purchase. These aren’t plastic replicas however, but ones formed in bronze, marble resin, or even precious metal. All are made from molds taken of the original works, so are completely faithful to the originals in every way. Often donated or paid for by donations, they replicas are found in museums, churches and other places, allowing many to see these fine works without a visit to Italy. These aren’t cheap, so don’t be expecting to pick one up for a spot+ price…

We’ve combined the APMEX images to form animated gif pictures so you can get a better look at the incredible work on offer her. The Madonna is clearly a staggering piece of work, even more so knowing the original by Michaelangelo was chiselled from marble. The Caesar is quite sublime. I’d buy that in a second if I could, especially knowing the original was sculpted just a few years after Caesars death and not a centuries later guess (the blurb below is almost certainly incorrect and this was sculpted shortly after Caesar died).

Both come in solid boxes with supporting documentation. APMEX won’t let you put these in the cart, so if you want one, give them a call on (800) 514-4958 and tell them Mik sent you….