50 euro gold coin 2021 "Musikinstrumente - Pauke"

The timpani is an integral part of every symphony orchestra and is considered one of the oldest musical instruments ever.

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Overview details

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Series: „Musikinstrumente“

Artists: Elena Gerber, Berlin (image side), Erich Ott, München (value side)

Issue date: August 09, 2021

Mints: Berlin (A), München (D), Stuttgart (F), Karlsruhe (G), Hamburg (J)

Weight: 7,78 g

Coin diameter: ca. 22 mm

Material: Fine gold (Au 999,9)

Nominal: 50 Euro

Mint quality: brilliant uncirculated

Circulation: max. 120.000 pieces

Description Coin

This coin from the “Musical Instruments” series, designed by the artist Elena Gerber, shows the timpani in duplicate. This gives the motif a very symmetrical look. Two crossed mallets float above the massive copper sheet kettles. Above it, nestled against the edge of the coin, the name of the instrument is engraved in large, widely spaced letters.

Backgroundinformation

The large percussion instrument belongs to the group of membranophones and can produce powerful, loud sounds. Ludwig van Beethoven liked to use the timpani in his compositions.

In the 13th century, Crusaders and Saracens brought the first timpani from Arabia to southern and western Europe. From there they quickly spread north. In the High Middle Ages, the timpani was a typical symbol of knighthood and an instrument of the cavalry. It changed shape and size several times throughout history.

The timpani consists of a copper sheet shell covered with a head made of plastic or animal skin. This is where the name “Membranophone”, the Latin-Greek made-up word for “Fellklinger”, comes from. The game is played with mallets whose heads are covered with felt or made of cork or wood, depending on the desired pitch. It is often used in pairs, but can also be played in larger combinations, depending on the score. A distinction is made between four different types of timpani: the screw timpani, the pedal timpani, the Viennese timpani and the machine timpani.