Alchemist's Opus Magnus

[+avroair 2]

Another design, I have been working on this coin for three years, but not really finished until now. This is the mint's first attempt at my artwork and they hate doing roman numerals (it will have serifs). The coin focuses on symbology and meaning... I thought it was fitting to geocoins since some Alchemist's would try and make metals out of other elements.

 

The symbols fall into four groups: Planets, Four Elements, Seasons and Time Periods. There are also symbols for alchemist compounds.

 

The Alchemy Opus Magnum or Great Work is a term from in medieval alchemy which refers to the successful completion of the transmutation of base metal into gold. There are four stages (and thus 4 versions of this coin will be available):

nigredo putrefied state

albedo purification, burnout impurity

Citrinitas yellowing, reflective success

Rubedo total fusion of spirit and matter

 

 

Like all life experiences I think you can translate these into the mind, body and spirit of finding a cache:

the hunt arrive at the GZ confused, but full of hope

the search start working through possible spots or placements

the find moment when you get an 'aha'

the satisfaction elation you found it!

 

Let me know what you think

Edited April 26, 2011 by Flying Spaghetti Monster

[CCWelch 7]

Very nice, Mark. How soon will it be available? and when can we see the other colors?(Are you using the metal colors and no fill or are you going to fill some areas on some colors?)

nigredo= black nickel

albedo= bright nickel

Citrinitas= gold

Rubedo=copper

Edited February 22, 2011 by CCWashburn

[+Crowesfeat30 0]

I like.

 

Looks similar (in silhouette) to the Seal of Solomon and Neptune's Compass coins but so different too.

 

CF30

[+avroair 2]

Very nice, Mark. How soon will it be available? and when can we see the other colors?(Are you using the metal colors and no fill or are you going to fill some areas on some colors?)

nigredo= black nickel

albedo= bright nickel

Citrinitas= gold

Rubedo=copper

 

Here are some colors I was mixing and matching:

 

 

I also thought of a purple and green with gold (mardi gras!); and a blue and yellow (old navy!) color ideas... there are lots of possibilities.

Edited February 22, 2011 by avroair

[+avroair 2]

I like.

 

Looks similar (in silhouette) to the Seal of Solomon and Neptune's Compass coins but so different too.

 

CF30

 

i spoke to Mackey about that, I did a lot of research on symbols and shapes. Let's hope I can turn the design into gold just like Tsun and Mackey do!

[+southern_angel 0]

Ooo, I love it. I can't wait to see the samples of it.

[+southern_angel 0]

Very nice, Mark. How soon will it be available? and when can we see the other colors?(Are you using the metal colors and no fill or are you going to fill some areas on some colors?)

nigredo= black nickel

albedo= bright nickel

Citrinitas= gold

Rubedo=copper

 

Here are some colors I was mixing and matching:

 

 

I also thought of a purple and green with gold (mardi gras!); and a blue and yellow (old navy!) color ideas... there are lots of possibilities.

 

 

If you get the Mardi Gras I will definitely get one of those.

[CCWelch 7]

Very nice, Mark. How soon will it be available? and when can we see the other colors?(Are you using the metal colors and no fill or are you going to fill some areas on some colors?)

nigredo= black nickel

albedo= bright nickel

Citrinitas= gold

Rubedo=copper

 

Here are some colors I was mixing and matching:

 

 

I also thought of a purple and green with gold (mardi gras!); and a blue and yellow (old navy!) color ideas... there are lots of possibilities.

 

How about silver with shades of blue? Yes, I am one of those blue and silver cliche people.

[+yanagi 0]

I love the design, congratulation!

 

Especially the black and red one is awesome!

[+AtlantaGal 0]

Very nice!

[+keewee 1]

Very cool design. Great job Mark.

[+Azure Sky 0]

Very nice! Would love to see a Mardi Gras version of this. Great job!

[+Tique 0]

Very nice design, I would definitely want a mardi gras colored one

[+mpilchfamily 2]

Great design work!

 

Not sure about the colors. It seems to me that an alchemy based coin like this would do better with minimal color and go 2 tone on the metals used. Use a base metal for most of he coin and polished gold for accents. Or you could keep the colors on the face but leave the back a simple 2 tone.

[+Jackalgirl 0]

Ooo nice! I like the orange/gold one. Reminds me of "fire". If you're going for alchemy, how about a fire/earth/water/air color set?

 

-- Kat

[+avroair 2]

Now that I am noodling:

 

 

1) Germany --- Faust edition!

2) Blue --- Silvermist editon

3) Purple \ Yellow --- Transmute edition

4) Mardi Gras --- Flamel edition!

Edited February 22, 2011 by avroair

[+avroair 2]

Great design work!

 

Not sure about the colors. It seems to me that an alchemy based coin like this would do better with minimal color and go 2 tone on the metals used. Use a base metal for most of he coin and polished gold for accents. Or you could keep the colors on the face but leave the back a simple 2 tone.

 

I am planning on something like that. As a later version. Two-tone adds quite a bit to the costs.

[+avroair 2]

Ooo nice! I like the orange/gold one. Reminds me of "fire". If you're going for alchemy, how about a fire/earth/water/air color set?

 

-- Kat

 

I considered that Kat, but there have been a ton of elements coins made. Might still do it.

[+Crowesfeat30 0]

Well the Orange & Black one is my old High School colors so I shall dub it the Webster Groves version or Statesmen version. :laughing:

 

CF30

[+Little'n 0]

Really cool design! The Blue and Mardi Gras colors are my favorites.

[+EyeD10T 0]

VEry nice - I like all four of the "noodling" versions

[haysonics 0]

Nice work Mark ! I like the Purple. How would Royal Blue/Blood Red/Silver look?

Edited February 23, 2011 by haysonics

[+JackHoe 0]

All four versions look verry nice to me. If those are going to be made I would like to have one of each

[+kini_ont 24]

The Faust edition and the Flamel edition are my two favorite

[+redwingrr 2]

These all look great. I'd like to see the blue version use Satin (Matte) Silver instead of antique... while it doesn't give the "old" look, it showcases the pure metal, which I think fits the theme perfectly.

[+woejam 0]

Really cool design!

Great work with all these details of the symbols.

 

What is the expected timeline?

[+manu luq 8]

Opus Magnum, Mark!

...If Fulcanelli agree I also agree

 

Added: I prefer the four last designs.

Edited February 23, 2011 by manu luq

[+avroair 2]

How would Royal Blue/Blood Red/Silver look?

 

Like an Australian version

Edited February 23, 2011 by avroair

[+avroair 2]

What is the expected timeline?

 

Samples will take about 3 weeks including updated mint artwork. From there it depends when Oakcoins would like to carry them. I have the Arabian Nights, Assassin's Respite and a couple of other designs coming out soon.

[+turtlemcclure 0]

I like the Silvermist and the purple. I would like one of each.

[+avroair 2]

Mint samples of a Mardi Gras and a bare antique silver (sorry for the bad photos). I should have them in hand early next week. They managed to get the colors wrong (should be no black but yellow instead), but gives you a sense of the coin.

 

 

[+LewisClan77 1]

Very Nice. I like the naked silver.

[+Ruud4d 0]

Still watching with great interest

[+Azure Sky 0]

Very nice so far! I'm usually one to always go for the color version of a coin; but that naked silver one really shows all the details! Amazing! I'm really liking this design.

[+LionsLair 0]

Now that I am noodling:

 

 

1) Germany --- Faust edition!

2) Blue --- Silvermist editon

3) Purple \ Yellow --- Transmute edition

4) Mardi Gras --- Flamel edition!

 

wow, another design that I'm just now catching up with... I remember seeing the few posts, but I've been lost for a stint and recently found... I really like these, I'll be looking forward to them and I'll keep a better eye out for them... the color combos really look great ...

[+Panther&Pine 1]

I'd take a bare silver one! And/or an orange one and a blue one.

[+avroair 2]

Quick update. I ordered two versions that will be ready in early May.

[+AtlantaGal 0]

Cool!

[+avroair 2]

Just a quick update since I was asked, these should be arriving in the next 2 weeks.

[+avroair 2]

Cinco De Mayo Fiesta version:

 

 

[+AtlantaGal 0]

Ahh, this is the coin with the Cinco de Mayo version. I was confused and thought it was the mask, lol

[+the4dirtydogs 1]

Love the Cinco De Mayo version.........Especially since our son turns 15 that day! Very colorful!

[+Flying Spaghetti Monster 3]

Title updated for the OP.

[+avroair 2]

Cinco De Mayo Fiesta version:

 

 

 

These are available as singles or in a cheap trackable grab bag on the geoswag presales page.

[+anne.and.eli 1]

Gorgeous stuff, avro. Love it!

[+Azure Sky 0]

I ordered a few. Great color combination!

[+keewee 1]

Grabbed me one - thanks for the great design

[+AtlantaGal 0]

I picked up one in my order.

[+avroair 2]

These will be available tommorrow. But you might see them in the cart on www.geoswag.com today.

[+Team kizb 0]

These will be available tommorrow. But you might see them in the cart on www.geoswag.com today.

 

What do you mean "you might see them in the cart"?