ART NOUVEAU Alphonse Mucha Rose Yellow Gold Ruthenium 2 Oz Silver Coin 5$ Samoa 2016

The coin's obverse depicts the beautiful opera of the artist Alphonse Mucha, the Byzantine Head. The woman is seen in profile against an ornate background of vegetal arabesques. She wear highly ornate jewellery in her hair, which is evocative of Byzantine design as suggested in the title. In the panel, strands of hair fall beyond the circular frame, bridging the gap between the woman and the viewer and lending a sense of depth to the otherwise flattened compositions. The exquisite pattern surrounding the circular frame simulates lacework, another decorative element familiar in Moravian craftwork. On top the inscription "ART NOUVEAU ALPHONSE MUCHA". The face value is present in this side. The coin's reverse depicts the coat of arms of Samoa the issue date and the Silver weight and fineness.