I like it. A lot! I think that there will be 2 kind of people: those who love the design and those who hate it. It is not as consonsual as the goat
I am fifty fifty on this one. The absence of designer's signature a bit of a disappointment. Also, the obverse (Palau insignia) not as nice as Ghana's on last year's coin.
I would have liked for it to be more consistent with the first coin, no artist signature and no longer Ghana seems a bit "all over the place" for the series . . . but I do think it looks good, and I'm not a big fan of skull themed silver!
10 years from now, when Series 1 completes.... wow.... Cannot imagine how does a dragon skull looks like.
I don't mind the 3rd coin is legal tender of another new country---- this means both sides of the coin will change design EVERY YEAR.... LOL.
I would have prefered consistancy as well and the Ghana eagles looked so nice last year! Plus I liked the signature under the draw. I have sent an email to the mint asking if they have changed the artist. Will let you guys know ahen I get an answer
Here's their answer: "We will address your question and other details about this year's release on the main page of SMmint.com over the next couple days. Please check there."
Yes, they changed the artist. I remember hearing about it somewhere (public info), but I recall it was from a party in-the-know. I don't mind that the signature is no longer there. Anyway, I like it! There's enough consistency between this one & the last (especially when it's easy to compare side-by-side over at FCC), so you know it's a continuing series -- but there's also enough difference to keep one's interest. Definitely the way to do it.. They need to keep up with that healthy balance, because you don't want the series to go stale -- nor do you want to have everything jumbled too much all over the place, either. Ghana wasn't bad, but I think I actually like the Palau obverse better. Certainly wouldn't mind if they switched up the issuing countries now & again, even eventually going back to some of the prior ones. Keeps things fresh & on our toes for *both* sides of the coin every year. Serial # on the edge this go-around, instead of the rim? They listened! Much better this way.. Keep it like that. Matching serial #'s is kind of cool, though looks like we're paying up a bit more this year for that bonus. Other than that, looks like they lowered the BU price, which means they increased the proof price. I don't think either move is unreasonable, considering. One other thing for now.. I hope they don't have the same straight head-on angle for the skull each & every year. They're going to need to mix that up, especially for certain creatures. I'm sure they've already thought of that & have planned the designs accordingly. Anyway, yeah, I placed my order..
Still I would have liked to see the design the original artist would have made. + I'd like to know why she's out of the project. Just out of curiosity
Pulled the trigger... They changed the artist, but the new design looks great. @TasmaniaChrismy => just checked here: http://www.skullcoins.com/lunar-skulls/ => buy both for $179
No offense to any particular persons, but I'm actually a bit more excited about the new *mint* of these! From what I can tell, I believe it was Geiger who had done the Goat Skulls, who also does the Armenian Noah's Arks & such. Decent enough, I suppose. But per the SM email, B.H. Mayer is doing the Monkey Skulls.. You know, the same German mint who does the Rwanda's, the Tokelau Lunars, etc. From what I've seen, they appear to have a better quality of finished product. Guessing these will be pretty nice in-hand. Excellent decision by SM..
Modern Numismatics Louis Golino 2016 Lunar Skulls Coins Announced http://www.coinworld.com/voices/louis-golino/2016/01/2016_lunar_skullsco.html