Pastel Cirkus: Rising - 2 Oz - Silver Collector Coin

The Lithuanian graphic designer and illustrator Laimutė Varkalaitė has enchanted the world with her distinctive style - her works appear again in the new series of collector coins "Pastel Circus" created by the Lithuanian Mint! Four coins in an unusual rectangular shape, the 1st of which is called "Rising", will not only immerse you in the sensual whirl of the circus, but also make you feel that hope and ideas help you spread your wings.

What do you associate circus with? For many, it's a place full of excitement, colour and laughter, where even the most secret desires and dreams can come true... It is also home to those with unique, almost magical abilities: a clown rides a bicycle on a thin rope, a graceful acrobat performs pirouettes on a trapeze, and an exuberant juggler shows off how many sticks he can throw while swinging on a ball. All of these skills are embodied by the main hero of the "Pastel Circus" - the red-nosed clown whose symbolic transformation into a bird can be seen on all coins in the series. 

The author of the series, Ms Laimutė Varkalaitė, reveals the idea of the "Pastel Circus": "This circus is light and fluttering, with soft colours, it accelerates and flies, but inside it is solid as a rock, because the desire to take off is an irresistible force. I want to tell the story of how the inner state becomes visible and how our desires become reality from our conception to the flight of the soul, symbolized by the ever-changing clown. Using graphic jewelry, detail by detail, I tried to convey the feeling of verve - feel it! 

The reverse side of the first coin, titled "Rising", depicts a clown who seems to be daydreaming and pedaling a bicycle decorated after various circus attractions. White pigeons, symbolizing circus life in general, fly around and play with a ball - the Clown effortlessly balances the toy on his winged head. It is only on closer inspection that it becomes clear that everything is surreal. To others I am but a clown, but to myself I am free as a bird. I feel it's time to soar. Let this be the awakening of my flight!", the author describes the main character. 

The author of the design, Ms Laimutė Varkalaitė, already known to numismatists from "The World of Cryptics", has uniquely conveyed not only the playful symbolism of the circus, but also the journey of a man who persistently pursues his dreams - even when it is not physically possible. On the reverse side, the viewer's eye is guided by graceful lines that weave together to create intricate, mathematically precise ornaments that are filled with dreamy pastel hues. 

The "Rising" silver collector coin has an antique quality finish and a digitally printed reverse. The obverse is framed by a circus curtain depicting a rising balloon and the public seal of Niue in the center. Below are two crossed katoua flails - the symbol of Niue - and above them is the island's motto "atua Niue tukulagi".