Carpe Diem 2 oz Silver Round
A mounted skeleton carries an urgent message: make the most of the time you have. Intaglio Mint’s Carpe Diem round translates that idea into a dramatic scene in 2 troy ounces of .999 fine silver, with the familiar Latin motto framing an apocalyptic rider.
The Roman Poem Behind the Motto
“Carpe diem,” commonly rendered as “seize the day,” appears in Horace’s Odes, Book I, poem 11. Addressing Leuconoe, the Roman poet warns against trying to discover how much life remains through predictions. His advice turns instead toward the present: accept uncertainty, enjoy what is available and remember that time passes even during a conversation.
The closing instruction is more thoughtful than a call for recklessness. Its force comes from the contrast between a day that can be lived now and a future that cannot be guaranteed. A short poem has thus supplied a phrase that can serve as a lasting reminder to give ordinary moments their due.
This round connects that invitation with a stark image of mortality. The horse and skeletal rider are the design’s own visual interpretation, rather than a scene described in Horace’s ode. Their movement gives urgency to the words, encouraging the viewer to consider how awareness of life’s limits can sharpen appreciation for life itself.
Design Details
Obverse: “CARPE” occupies the upper field and “DIEM” the lower field, separated by bullet points. A draped skeleton rides an apocalyptic horse while wielding a medieval spiked flail, combining flowing fabric, skeletal detail and a forceful mounted pose.
Reverse: A large Intaglio Mint logo sits within a plain border marked “TWO TROY OUNCES” and “.999 FINE SILVER,” flanked by stars.
The 39 mm round is finished with a reeded edge and a Brilliant Uncirculated surface, pairing a concise classical message with a bold modern design.
Specifications
- Weight: 2.00 troy ounces
- Thickness: Approximately 6 mm
- Purity: .999 fine
- Edge: Reeded
- Diameter: 39 mm
- Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
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