While best known as being one of the world’s premier commemorative coin dealers, Rome-based Powercoin have also released an enviable selection of quality numismatics, usually in conjunction with industry leaders, CIT Coin Invest. Such series as the Revolutionary Masks, Micromosaic Passion, and Eternal Sculptures, hint at a strong affinity for the art world in particular, but it’s tapping into the hot ancient mythology market for their latest issue.

The tragic tale of Pandora and her box of humanities ills has captivated readers for well over two thousand years, and there have been countless interpretations of how they manifested themselves as the box was opened. How do you recreate an ethereal concept in a realistic manner? The easiest way is to play on the cultural imagery of the day and Powercoin have certainly done that for this quite striking issue.

Seen as if from above the opened box, actually a large jar as the original tale was mistranslated, the view is of a swirling rush of forces bursting free upon the world. Full of dynamism and packed to the rim with detailed high-relief art, this is a hugely impressive piece of work, quite unlike anything else in this genre. As you can see from the pictures, the deep strike is the equal of anything else out there today. Issued for Palau, the obverse features that nations distinctive maritime mythology based coat of arms. This face also includes a wide border carrying on the visual look of the reverse face, although at a standard level of relief.

At three-ounces of fine silver in weight, and with a mintage of 666 pieces, this is no cheap and cheerful coin, but a premium issue. We’ve yet to see packaging pictures, but Powercoin have never disappointed in the past and we’d expect something of fine quality, befitting a coin like this. It should be available to order shortly.