Silver coin 1 Oz Claude Monet: Impression, sunrise

Through its silver coins, the Mint XXI commemorates the most famous works of art in the world. Naturally, Claude Monet’s Impression, Sunrise is a must-have among them.

When the French painter Claude Monet looked out of his hotel window early one morning in the harbour of Le Havre, he saw rippling water, rowing boats, the indistinct silhouettes of ship’s masts and smoking funnels, and, in the midst of it all, a shining sun disc. This scene made a deep impression on him, so he decided to capture it on canvas. However, he did not aim for a realistic depiction. Instead, with quick, delicate brushstrokes, he immortalised his current mood – his immediate impression. At first glance, the 1872 painting differed from the usual works of Romanticism and Realism - it appeared unfinished, like a mere sketch. Supporters of the official art of the time were unsparing in their criticism, but the painting, entitled ‘Impression, Sunrise’, also attracted a number of admirers. It was then that a new artistic movement was born - Impressionism…

The reverse side of the rectangular coin is entirely filled with a reproduction of Monet’s work. Thanks to colouring technology, Impression, Sunrise stands out in vivid colours. The obverse side, which features decorative curves, bears the issuer’s details as the coin is issued under licence by the state of Cameroon, it bears its name and the nominal value of 1,000 CFA francs (XAF).

The coin is placed in an elegant frame, allowing you to display this work of art with ease.