Lucite Encased Gold Coin Sculpture on Onyx Base
Commemorative Coin Display / Art Piece · Yellow Gold (Rich high-karat hue)
Purity: Estimated 18K to 22K (75%-91.6% gold content)
Type
Commemorative Coin Display / Art Piece
Purity
Estimated 18K to 22K (75%-91.6% gold content)
Gold Type
Yellow Gold (Rich high-karat hue)
Weight
3.5 to 8 grams (estimated gold coin weight; base and acrylic excluded)
Description
An elegant mid-century desktop sculpture featuring a single gold coin suspended within a clear elliptical lucite lens. The acrylic is mounted via a thin metal pin to a raw, organically shaped specimen of genuine honey-colored onyx. This piece combines the value of physical gold with the sleek, space-age aesthetic of 20th-century executive decor.
Key Features
Suspended 'floating' effect within high-clarity acrylic; natural stone base transition
Color & Finish
Deep lustrous yellow with high-shine reflective finish inside acrylic
Hallmarks & Stamps
Visible 'ONYX VERITABLE' label on base; coin marks obscured by lucite
Dimensions Estimate
Display: 4-5 inches height; Coin: 18-22mm diameter
Gemstones & Inlays
Genuine Onyx stone base; clear Lucite/Acrylic encasement
Clasp & Closure
Not applicable (Stationary decorative object)
Chain & Links
Supportive vertical metal post anchored into stone base
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-polished acrylic edges; hand-cut natural stone base; basic industrial mounting.
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic deep gold color; French descriptive labeling; period-correct construction materials
Origin & Maker
Likely French or European (indicated by 'Veritable' French terminology)
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (Late 1960s - 1970s)
Age Estimate
Circa 1970-1980
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Hard Asset' investment culture of the 1970s when gold and natural stones were popular lifestyle status symbols.
Condition Notes
Good overall; surface scratches on lucite; natural pitting in stone base; minor oxidation on support pin
Value Estimate
$450 - $850 (Dependent on coin weight and gold purity once identified)
Care & Maintenance
Clean acrylic with a soft microfiber cloth; avoid ammonia-based cleaners (Windex) which crack lucite; dust stone base with a dry brush.
Similar Items
Gold foil stamps in acrylic, Lucite coin paperweights, and rough stone mineral specimens.
Interesting Facts
Lucite displays were high-prestige executive gifts in the 1970s, often used to showcase precious commodities like gold or oil.