International Coin Design Competition (ICDC), an annual competition, to which 48 works from 9 countries for "GENERAL category", and 133 works from 5 countries for "STUDENT category" were submitted in 2019, has been held by the Japan Mint since 1998, to encourage creativity and enhance the artistry of coin designs.

The design of the above medal was awarded the prize for Most Excellent Work in the International Coin Design Competition 2019. It was designed under the theme of "Oh, the bird flew…" by Ms. Nataliia Fandikova, who is from Ukraine.

Click here to the information about International Coin Design Competition.

Click here to the final result of the ICDC 2019

Medal Design

The theme "Oh, the bird flew…" is dedicated to the "treasury and soul of the people" – a lyric folk song, melodic, exciting and touching, enriched with bright epithets, which combines joy with quiet sadness, sings love and love and love. The folk song praises love and human relations, inspires with its beauty and power.

Original Sketch by the Designer

Plaster Models by the Designer

Obverse:The center of the coin shows the figures of a woman and a man with a bird (bird- dove) over their heads. The bird symbolically covers them with wings, as if an angel protects happy love and faithfulness, from the longing and hardships of everyday life. This is the lyrics of love: the origin of feelings, mutual love, thoughts of marriage.
Above the wings of the bird are written the words of the folk lyric songs.

Reverse: A flying bird lost feathers that swirl in the air. The white feather symbolizes the bright, joyful part of human life, and the black – the difficulties of family life, jealousy, separation, betrayal, sadness….　In the center of the coin is a house with a wicker fence and a garden, above which feathers are circling. On the left – the inscription "Folk song", on the right – the inscription in Ukraine.

Specifications

Composition	Pure Gold (Fineness Certification stamped by Japan Mint*)
Weight	Approximately 25g
Diameter	30mm
Finish	Mirror Finish
Packaging	Special Presentation Box with Certificate in English

* Mint Certification Mark of Precious Metal Wares (Hallmark)
The Japan Mint examines and certifies the fineness of precious metal wares by stamping specific marks on all wares that pass this examination. These marks are commonly called hallmarks.

International Dealers for this Medal

For South Korea

POONGSAN HWADONG Co., Ltd.

For People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia

International Coins Limited

Please see the International Dealers List for their contact information.