Here's my obverse design for a fantasy nation coin

edix2001

I've done some coin designs since the early-mid 1970s, but never had one of them minted. I think I finally have a chance. I am working with Bill Turner of Cypress, Texas who runs the Blue Waters Mint. Bill has produced coins and currency for nearly 3 dozen fantasy nations. He gets the coins designed and minted and creates a detailed narrative about the fantasy nation as a brochure with a purchase.
Here's my design:

Here's the page with the info on Bill's upcoming releases:
NumisNotes

magikbilly

Hello,

Interesting! I like the idea and I am one for simplicity, but think it lacks a central point of interest which may be further obscured by surrounding elements depending on the surface finish (MS/Pr). I do see the bell - it is also a cap, yes? Maybe not, because it might be in the wrong direction. Without a strong design element and the way you have used space here the eye might be left to wander around. It appears that a large central area of the coin is negative space (doorway - symbolism there?). And the composition does appear unbalanced (umlaut is not helping). The wood and stone work would look awesome with Pr/Cam contrast, but without it may appear confusing as well. What do you think?

Best wishes,
Eric

edit for spelling.

edix2001

Thanx for your comments. Yah, the bell is the central motif, even though tiny, since it's location in front of an old church is of primary significance. (As will be detailed in the narrative.) I've got a different design for a future issue where a bell on a post is the sole element of the design beyond the text. I like that concept for a coin design better, but Bill Turner liked the church w/bell as an initial piece, so we went with that. Hopefully it will come out well. Indeed there is a lot to learn about the techniques and processes, especially using a combo computer enhanced 2-D drawing that gets a 3-D relief treatment prior to engraving and striking. If I continue, I may well end up trying my hand at 3-D computer modeling.

comma

My critique as a graphic designer,
Personally I think all of the pattern in the bricks and the wood makes things feel very busy...I know that a minted coin will look different than this mockup, but especially on a smaller coin I'm pretty sure the bell would get completely lost. I'm not exactly sure what the significance of the bell is, but if the building isn't as significant I think you should lose some of the pattern detail there, or if it is important, maybe have a more zoomed out view where the building is prominent, but focused more on the building and not the walls.

Personally, I think I would focus on a design with only the bell (no structure) to really emphasize how beautiful the simplicity of just a bell could be. Plus, I have no seen many coins (or any) focused on bells.

Good luck!

magikbilly

Hi again,

I am guessing that the bell is not doing double duty as a cap? If not, maybe it could? Is there a meaning to the door, and all these elements you have combined here? Good symbolism can read like a sentence. The pilaster I placed in the Discovery Museum from the R.M.S. Mauretania of 1907 - the capital was so dense with interlocking symbolism I could have written another 2 articles just about the pilasters and not the 50-odd full columns! If anyone wants to see it lemme know. Great symbolism!


Best wishes,
Eric

Edit to add: Help me out with the word you have here and its meaning in conjunction with the design? How do they work to promote the idea you want to convey??

edix2001

Heh! Yeah, my bell may only measure about 2mm wide on the finished coin. The textured detail of stones (or bricks) and wood paneling should help create a 3-D effect of solidity and realism. But who knows on such a tiny piece? Turner hopes to issue different releases for several years for this nation, all featuring bells.
The name of the fantasy nation is Välemaa, which for all I know is a fantasy word. Turner previously released some coins for a group of fantasy nation islands called: Änän Munän Ylhä, Änän Ylhätuoli and Änän Täntaimon. There are many other exotic names for his fantasy nations.
In terms of symbolism, the rusticness of the church and bell is the main expression. An open door is a secondary thought.

crypto79

as far as I am concerned all of the CSA cents are made well after the fack and make up pieces

Justacommeman

Can you spot the alien? That was the first thing i noticed. Also, should the bell be depicted in the full motion? Maybe reduce that angle? i'm a designer so i'm used to criticism 24/7. Both of the mean and constructive kind. Mine are just call outs of the constructive variety.......you are on to something. MJ

edix2001

The unconscious alien symbolism! The bell is tied up to the wall at an angle. Turner is likely still looking for designers, since he has a plethora of fantasy nation coins he's interested in releasing. Drop him a line.

magikbilly

Hi again,

I would not change the angle of the bell so much from what you have here - it is one of the more interesting opportunities to render depth as long as it doesn't start competing with the open door nearby. The word seems to have some meaning after some Googling. Can't say I am crazy about it, you might look yourself. I see my Phrygian cap idea is out of place - I was thinking this nation!

Best of luck,
Eric

edix2001

Yes, Eric, the mechanism for moving the bell attached to the rope is not very well defined, and could look a bit like a Liberty Cap.(More unconscious symbolism?) Most of Bill Turner's fantasy nation coins lie well outside the United States, in all sorts of far flung areas. Thanx for all the comments!
And here's Turner's write up of Välemaa

JamesMurray

<< <i>My critique as a graphic designer,
Personally I think all of the pattern in the bricks and the wood makes things feel very busy...I know that a minted coin will look different than this mockup, but especially on a smaller coin I'm pretty sure the bell would get completely lost. I'm not exactly sure what the significance of the bell is, but if the building isn't as significant I think you should lose some of the pattern detail there, or if it is important, maybe have a more zoomed out view where the building is prominent, but focused more on the building and not the walls.

Personally, I think I would focus on a design with only the bell (no structure) to really emphasize how beautiful the simplicity of just a bell could be. Plus, I have no seen many coins (or any) focused on bells.

Good luck! >>



The Franklin half dollar reverse leaps to mind : )

edix2001

Here's my second obverse design for next year's issue. Maybe it's closer to what some folks here would expect in a coin design:

magikbilly

<< <i>Yes, Eric, the mechanism for moving the bell attached to the rope is not very well defined, and could look a bit like a Liberty Cap.(More unconscious symbolism?) Most of Bill Turner's fantasy nation coins lie well outside the United States, in all sorts of far flung areas. Thanx for all the comments!
And here's Turner's write up of Välemaa >>



Hi again

The new design is heading in a very good direction! Really!! I would argue against so much negative space though - because I'm sure you could say more there. I have some ideas about merging the two images and using the negative space too - would you mind if I played with this image and posted the result?

Best wishes,
Eric

edix2001

<< <i>

<< <i>Yes, Eric, the mechanism for moving the bell attached to the rope is not very well defined, and could look a bit like a Liberty Cap.(More unconscious symbolism?) Most of Bill Turner's fantasy nation coins lie well outside the United States, in all sorts of far flung areas. Thanx for all the comments!
And here's Turner's write up of Välemaa >>



Hi again

The new design is heading in a very good direction! Really!! I would argue against so much negative space though - because I'm sure you could say more there. I have some ideas about merging the two images and using the negative space too - would you mind if I played with this image and posted the result?

Best wishes,
Eric >>



Go right ahead. You should share it with Bill Turner as well.
BTW - Turner mailed me a token that Tom Maringer produced to hand out at the late Greg Franck-Weiby's memorial service recently. It was a muling of two different obverses they had both worked on when Maringer was producing issues based on the Lord of the Rings novel. Very touching and appropriate.

magikbilly

Hi

Thank you, I will contact Mr. Turner. Very nice image you have; was just looking again. Probably tomorrow I will get a chance to sit down and work.

Best,
Eric