The German government has decided to mint a €20 collectors' coin to commemorate Otto Dix's 125th birthday, to be issued 03 November 2016. The coin honours Wilhelm Heinrich Otto Dix (1891 - 1969), an important 20th century German painter and printmaker.
The artist Friedrich Brenner from Diedorf, Germany, designed the coin.
The jury explained their decision as follows. "The relief on the picture side combines a portrait of the painter, an artistic quote from one of his work's main motifs and his signature into a glorious collage. The result is a composition, which, to a certain degree, reflects Dix's concept of montage and the virulence of his early works in a new artistic language. At first glance, the reverse side seems to contrast with the picture side, due to its graphic austerity. Looking at it in more detail, however, effective references can be identified in the structuring of the surface, the typography and in each graphic element. The eagle is represented as a dignified figure."
The reverse features an eagle framed by the words "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND", the value and denomination, the letter "G" for the federal mint in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, the year 2016, and the twelve stars of Europe. In addition, the words "SILBER 925" are minted on the coin.
The coin's smooth edge is embossed with the inscription: "DU MUSST ALLES SELBER SEIN !" (You have to be everything yourself!)
The €20 coin is to be produced in both mint condition and with a proof-like finish and will be made of an alloy composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Each coin will weigh 18 g and have a diameter of 32.5 mm.
The mint condition coins can be purchased at all Bundesbank branches.
Source: Deutsche Bundesbank
