Felix Mendelssohn Proof Silver Coin

The Perth Mint of Australia has released the first of a five coin series celebrating the Romantic-era composers, the Felix Mendelssohn 1oz Silver Proof Coin.

Felix Mendelssohn was born in 1809 and within the first few years of his life was already recognized as musically gifted. In fact, well known German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe would remark on his similarity to another child prodigy he had known years before, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This comparison was not unfounded, and would surface again and again.

Mendellsohn would write no less than twelve string symphonies between the young ages of 12 and 14. His playing abilities led to public performances starting at the age 9. This early childhood ambition did not seem to slow down during his adult life.

What set Mendellsohn apart from other composers of his time was his strongly conservative musical inclinations. Liszt, Wagner and Berlioz would garner attention by being more musically adventurous, but Mendellsohn preferred to build on the classical style.

Many of his works are appreciated and performed today, but best known by most is probably the incidental music he wrote for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Included as part of that collection is the Wedding March, used in thousands of matrimonial ceremonies around the world each year as a recessional piece.

Mendelssohn silver coin specifications and order details

The coin celebrating this honored composer consists of 1 troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver with a diameter of 40.60mm and a thickness of 4.00mm.

It ships in a presentation case which includes a Certificate of Authenticity identifying the extremely limited mintage of only 5,000 units.

The reverse portrays Mendelssohn facing a large treble clef. The inscription ‘Felix Mendelssohn 1809 – 1847’ and the Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark are also shown.

As legal tender of the country of Tuvalu, the obverse contains Raphael Maklouf’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. "Queen Elizabeth II", "1 Dollar", "Tuvalu" and "2009" are present as well.

The Felix Mendelssohn 1oz Silver Proof Coin is available from around the world for AUS $81.36 (~$65 US) and directly from The Perth Mint page (and Silver Coins Today affiliate link):

Great Composers – Mendelssohn 1809-1847 1oz Silver Proof Coin

2009 Felix Mendelssohn Silver Proof Coin Image

About the Perth Mint

The Perth Mint, wholly-owned by the State Government of Western Australia, is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. The Mint opened in 1899 in response to the discovery of rich gold deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. It was Australia’s third branch of Britain’s Royal Mint – the others being the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint (both closed).

The Perth Mint remained under Britain’s jurisdiction until 1 July 1970, when ownership transferred to the State Government of Western Australia.

In 2003, The Perth Mint officially opened an 8,400 square metre state-of-the-art manufacturing facility next door to its original limestone building. Dominating the Mint’s heritage precinct, these two important buildings are powerful symbols of more than 100 years of minting excellence in Western Australia.