2011 Niue 1-Kilo Silver Sistine Chapel Ceiling Fresco 33-Piece Coin Set

500th Anniversary of Michelangelo's Masterwork

Offered here is one of the most majestic and innovative numismatic items ever created. A 33-piece, full-color, proof-quality silver coin issued to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the original, gloriously breathtaking work of art created by master painter Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.

The Sistine Chapel Ceiling Fresco is entirely reproduced on 33 edgeless coins. The cut of each unit is designed to respect the painting's architecture: on the lateral sides there are six square-shaped coins representing the four Pendentives and the Prophets Jonah and Zechariah; the central area of the set illustrates nine stories of the Genesis represented on nine rectangular-shaped coins; eight coins depict the Webs and ten coins depict the Sybils and in the upper and lower edges a total of eight currencies for sails and other ten for Sybil and the Prophets.

Michelangelo
Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508 to repaint the ceiling of the Chapel. It was originally painted as golden stars on a blue sky. The work was completed between 1508 and 1512. Michelangelo painted 12,000sq feet (1,100m2) of the chapel ceiling with themes from the Book of Genesis. He was originally commissioned to paint only 12 figures, the Apostles. After the work was finished, there were more than 300. Today the ceiling is widely believed to be Michelangelo's crowning achievement in painting.

The Sistine Chapel is the best-known Chapel in Christianity. It takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. The 15th century decoration of the walls includes: the false drapes, the Stories of Moses (south and entrance walls) and of Christ (north and entrance walls) and the portraits of the Popes (north and south and entrance walls). It was executed by a team of painters made up initially of Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Rosselli, assisted by their respective shops and by some closer assistants among whom Biagio di Antonio, Bartolomeo della Gatta and Luca Signorelli stand out. On the Ceiling Pier Matteo d'Amelia painted a starry sky. The work on the frescoes began in 1481 and was concluded in 1482. This is also the date of the following works in marble: the screen, the choir stalls (where the choristers took their places), and the pontifical coat of arms over the entrance door. On 15 August 1483, Sixtus IV consecrated the new chapel dedicating it to Our Lady of the Assumption.

This 24-piece set comes together to form one single coin unit, $24 Dollar face value. Each piece of silver features a full-color, edgeless design showing a portion of Michelangelo’s masterwork that when placed together form a completed picture of the breathtaking ceiling fresco of the Sistine chapel!

The completed collection sets between two sheets of thick, protective perspex. Also supplied with the set is an elegant display stand and a pair of gloves for proper handling - all set within a top quality, transparent top red timber box that comes within a final black leatherette outer case for ultimate protection. To cap off this magnificent offer, each Sistine Chapel Silver Proof Collection is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity and an official, highly descriptive information booklet with details surrounding the creation of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling masterpiece.

Call 1-888-726-5558 to place your order by phone and receive discounts when you pay by check or bank wire.