Fourth Series Treasures from Spanish Museums - Bosch

Introduction

The year 2016 marks the 5TH centenary of the death of Hieronymus van Aeken Bosch (El Bosco), one of the most fascinating and creative painters in the world of art.

As a result of the interest taken in Bosch by Philip II, Spain houses the foremost collection of original paintings by this artist. The famous triptych, "The Garden of Earthly Delights", Bosch's most complex and enigmatic creation, is housed in the Prado Museum, which also holds additional works by this brilliant painter. Estuche monedas Bosco

In deference to this commemorative event the Spanish Royal Mint has launched a unique set of coins, developed in close collaboration with the Prado Museum. The set comprises three silver coins dedicated to the triptych "The Garden of Earthly Delights", and one gold coin dedicated to two works, "The Haywain" and "The Temptations of Saint Anthony".

These are the first square-shaped coins ever minted by the Spanish Royal Mint; moreover, and also for the first-time ever, they have been produced in solid .999 silver, with the work in full color replicated on the obverses.

BOE: Orden Ministerial (ECC/701/2015)

Details

8 escudos gold-Bosch

The set comprises one circular gold coin and three solid silver coins, one of which is square in shape and the other two are rectangular. Both the gold coin and the three silver coins come encapsulated and enclosed in jewel cases.

The coins are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the FNMT-RCM. They are sold in two different groupings: the single 8-escudos gold coin, and the set of three silver coins composing the triptych that is Bosch's most well-known work. These come enclosed in a special case that enables them to be viewed in the same order as the original works.

4th Issue in the Series Treasures in Spain's Museums
Name Composition Face Value Weight Diameter Dimensions Quality Mint Run
8-escudos .999 gold 400 € 27 g 38 mm - Proof 1.500
Square coin .999 sterling silver 50 € 135 g - 60 x 60 mm Proof 2.000
Rectangular coins .999 sterling silver 25 € 67.5 g - 60 x 30 mm Proof 2.000

Gold 8-escudos coin

The obverse reproduces a detail from the painting entitled "The Haywain", completed by Bosch in 1515. This painting is housed in the Prado Museum in Madrid. The legend EL BOSCO is inscribed on the coin following its curve at top right.

The reverse depicts a detail from the canvas «The Temptations of Saint Anthony» painted by the artist around 1490. This painting is also housed in the Prado Museum in Madrid. The legend TESOROS DE MUSEOS ESPAÑOLES is inscribed at top center following the coin's contour.

Set of three silver coins

Each of the obverses of these three coins portrays a reproduction in color of a different panel from the original triptych, painted between 1500 and 1505 by Hieronymus van Aeken Bosch (El Bosco). The painting is housed in the Prado Museum in Madrid. The rectangular coin on the left replicates "The Garden of Eden", the square coin in the center exhibits "The Garden of Earthly Delights", and the rectangular coin on the right depicts "Hell".

The reverse of each of the three coins reproduces a detail from the panel shown in color on the obverse, together with the legends EL BOSCO and TESOROS DE MUSEOS ESPAÑOLES.

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