Tempus Fugit 2 oz Silver Round
Time flies—and Intaglio Mint gives that familiar thought a dramatic form in silver. A winged skull, a melting candle, a clock and an hourglass bring several reminders of passing time into one detailed composition. Struck in 2 troy ounces of .999 fine silver, the Tempus Fugit round pairs its reflective theme with a Brilliant Uncirculated finish.
The Meaning of Tempus Fugit
The Latin phrase tempus fugit is commonly translated as “time flies.” Its literary connection reaches back to the Roman poet Virgil. In Book III, line 284 of his Georgics, he writes fugit inreparabile tempus: time passes beyond recovery. The longer line emphasizes more than speed; it points to the impossibility of calling a vanished moment back.
That thought gives this design its focus. The clock measures time, the hourglass shows it slipping away, and the burning candle consumes itself as it gives light. The winged skull brings those images together as a reminder of mortality. Read as a whole, the scene invites reflection on how we spend the time available to us.
Design Details
Obverse: A winged skull bears dripped candle wax against a clock face with Roman numerals. An hourglass overlaps the composition, while decorative scrollwork surrounds the skull. “TEMPUS FUGIT” follows the lower circumference, giving the intricate imagery its concise Latin message.
Reverse: The high-relief Intaglio Mint logo stands against a radial burst. A stippled border carries “TWO TROY OUNCES” and “.999 FINE SILVER,” with stars at either side. The geometric reverse provides a clear contrast to the layered symbolism of the obverse.
At 39 mm in diameter, this two-ounce edition gives the design a substantial silver format. It is a thoughtful addition to a collection of Latin mottoes, skull designs or rounds with a philosophical theme.
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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