Carpe Diem Coin
Regular price $ 15.00
Unit price per
When I designed my Original Carpe Diem Coin, I wanted a challenge coin that could be carried and given away to friends and family, that would remind the holder that time is fleeting, that death waits at the end for all of us, and that it is important to make the most of every day. I designed the front ("obverse") side of the coin with a skull to represent death, with an escapement gear (found in all mechanical clocks and watches) in the forehead of the skull to represent the passing of time. "Time Flies" was becoming more of a reality every day as I approached 50 years of age. "Death Waits" was my very real, although grim reminder that at the end of all my uncertain days alive, there is only the certainty of death.
The back ("reverse") side of my Original Carpe Diem Coin had a simple message: Â "Carpe Diem" which means "Seize the Day," and "Make Your Life Extraordinary." Make the most of every day you have. Work hard, but play hard. Do good for others not as fortunate as you. Be present in the lives of friends and family.
For my Kickstarter Campaign, I re-introduced a newly designed Carpe Diem Coin, and had them professionally minted from custom engraved dies. The obverse has my original skull design re-worked with more detail to represent death, and the escapement gear, hourglasses and an hour / minute track, to represent the passing of time. I decided to use latin for the text on the new coins: "TEMPUS FUGIT" for "Time Flies," and "MEMENTO MORI" for "Remember Death." The reverse shows a "tree of life" with the words "CARPE DIEM" for "Seize the Day." Surrounding the tree of life are the words "FAC VITAM INCREDIBILEM" for "Make an Incredible Life," and "MEMENTO VIVERE" for "Remember to Live." These two sayings are separated by roses, a subtle suggestion to take time to stop and smell the roses.
Carpe Diem Coins are 39mm in diameter, and approximately 2.7mm thick (10 gauge). The Carpe Diem Coins are minted in the USA, by America's oldest mint founded in 1835.
Carpe Diem Coins are available in the following materials and finishes (see product photos):
- Antique Bronze Finish (Brass Alloy - Chemically Aged)
- Antique Silver Finish (Copper/Zinc Alloy - Chemically Aged)
- Solid Copper with Antique Finish
- .999 Fine Silver (approx. 1 ounce) - in plastic capsule
Proudly made in the USA.