Omnia Vanitas Coin

Front: “In morte ultima veritas · Vincit veritas in omni re” (in death lies the final truth; truth wins in all things)
Back: “Only death is true” · “Omnia Vanitas” (all is vanity)

At a glance

• Theme: ego, humility and what is real
• Good for: success, a new title, keeping your feet on the ground
• Gift for: a leader, a new manager, an art and history lover
• Finishes: Antique Silver (brass alloy), Antique Bronze (brass alloy)
• Size: 39 mm, about 1 oz, die struck in the USA

The meaning

Omnia vanitas comes from the opening of Ecclesiastes: vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Titles, praise, possessions and reputation feel solid, and none of them last. The front of the coin adds a harder line: in death lies the final truth, and truth wins in all things.

This is the coin for when things are going well. Success makes it easy to believe your own press. A reminder that it is all temporary keeps you honest with others and with yourself.

The design

The front is a skull set against radiating lines, the Latin running around the rim. The back takes its cue from the vanitas still lifes of 17th century Dutch painters: a snake winds through bare stems above a banner reading Omnia Vanitas, with Only death is true around the edge.

On good days and hard days

• On good days, it keeps success in proportion, so pride never gets the upper hand.
• On hard days, when you lose something you thought mattered, it reminds you what is real and what was only vanity, and helps you let go.

Carry it

Keep it in the pocket you reach into before a big meeting. One customer wrote that they find themselves turning it over every day, and that whenever they look at it they remember to enjoy life because it is short. Another bought one after their spouse kept admiring theirs.

Give it

It is a sharp gift for a new manager, a friend who just made partner, or anyone who appreciates dark, beautiful art. It says congratulations and stay humble at the same time.

Specs

• Diameter: 1.54 in (39 mm), about the size of a silver dollar
• Thickness: 2.7 mm
• Weight: about 1 oz (28 g)
• Material: brass alloy (Antique Silver, Antique Bronze)
• Made: die struck, minted in the USA
• Each coin is antiqued with a special patina so it looks like it has already been in circulation. The patina never settles the same way twice, so no two coins look exactly alike. Small variations in color and shading are normal, and they are what make your coin one of a kind.

Questions

What does in morte ultima veritas mean?
“In death lies the final truth.” The full line on the coin adds vincit veritas in omni re, “truth wins in all things.”

What does omnia vanitas mean?
“All is vanity,” from Ecclesiastes. It is the idea behind vanitas art: everything we chase is temporary.

What is a good humility gift for a leader?
Something small they keep with them. This coin's message, all is vanity, is a quiet check on ego after a promotion or a big win.

Other coins on the same theme

• Memento Mori Coin: the classic Stoic reminder, your time is limited
• Life Spiral Coin: for the hard worker who needs reminding that nothing comes along at the end
• Fleeting Time Coin: “What you are I once was,” for milestone birthdays
• Vita Brevis Coin: “You are dust,” memento mori with a faith angle
• Carpe Diem Coin: the bright side, remember to live
• Memento Mori Coin, 1 oz .999 Silver: the heirloom version

Care: keep it dry and wipe it with a soft cloth. No polishing needed; the aged finish is part of the look.

Original design by EDC Reminder Coins, protected by copyright. We don't take custom orders.