The fifth coin in the Cherub Angel series was issued in 2002, and is based on a painting by Raphael (also known as Raffaello Sanzio) entitled "The Triumph of Galatea", which was painted in 1511 in Rome. 

Raphael painted in the villa (now called the Farnesina) of a rich banker, Agostino Chigi.  The subject of this painting is a verse from a poem by the Florentine Angelo Poliziano, which had also helped to inspire Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus'. These lines describe how the clumsy giant Polyphemus sings a love song to the fair sea-nymph Galatea, and how she rides across the waves in a chariot drawn by two dolphins, laughing at his uncouth song, while the gay company of other sea-gods and nymphs is milling round her.  Raphael's fresco shows Galatea with her gay companions, and there are four cherub angels armed with Cupid's bows and arrows who aim at the heart of Galatea.  This coin captures the images of 2 of the cherub angels that are floating above Galatea and her companions.

This coin is made from Cupro-Nickel (CuNi) and is in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. The other side of the coin features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS FSNAD.  The contrast in the photo at left was enhanced to show the striking coin detail.

The fourth coin in the Cherub Angel series was issued in 2001, and is based on a drawing entitled "Amorini" by Francois Boucher.  Boucher was the most successful French painter of his time and the favorite artist of Louis XV and his mistress Madame Pompadour, and he was a master of the elegant decorative style known today as Rococo.

Literally translated, 'Amorini' means 'little loves' and the two cherubs on this delightful coin certainly fit that description.  One of the cherubs is reaching skywards while the other is pointing upwards with one hand and holding a torch in the other.

This coin is made from Cupro-Nickel (CuNi) and is in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. The other side of the coin features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS FSNAD.  The contrast in the photo at left was enhanced to show the striking coin detail.

The third coin in the Cherub Angel series was issued in 2000, and is based on the painting "The Birth of Venus" by Alexandre Cabanel, which hangs in the Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France.  Cabanel's beautiful painting shows five child-like angels floating above Venus, and this coin captures two of the five cherubs from the painting. 

Alexandre Cabanel (1823-1889) was born in Montpellier, France.  "The Birth of Venus" was painted in 1863, and is his best known work.  The original painting was purchased by the emperor Napoleon III, who gave Cabanel several prestigious commissions.

This coin is made from Cupro-Nickel (CuNi) and is in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. The other side of the coin features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.  The contrast in the photo at left was enhanced to show the striking coin detail.

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The second coin in the Cherub Angel series was issued in 1999, and is based on the painting "Heads of Angels" by Sir Joshua Reynolds, which was painted in 1787 and hangs in the Tate Gallery in London.  This beautiful painting (shown in the bottom left picture) features the faces of five child-like angels, and this coin captures four of the five cherubic faces from the painting.  The image of the painting can best be described as "gentle" with the cherubic faces surrounded by their wings and swirling clouds. 

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) was born in Plympton, Devon, England.  In 1749, he sailed to the Mediterranean and after spending three years in Italy, he returned to London, where his portraits attracted much attention.  In 1768, Reynolds was elected President of the Royal Academy of Arts and was knighted.  In 1784, he became painter to King George III.   Reynolds is credited with more than 2,000 portraits.  Stylistically, he was influenced by Michelangelo and the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens. Reynolds's portraits were distinguished by calm dignity, classical allusions, rich color, and realistic portrayal of character. Unfortunately, his use of bitumen (or asphalt) and experimental pigments made some of his colors fade prematurely. Nevertheless, his portraits form an epitome of London society of his day. He died in London on February 23, 1792.

This coin is made from Cupro-Nickel (CuNi) and is in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. The other side of the coin features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.  The contrast in the photo at left was enhanced to show the striking coin detail.