Monetary masterpieces
- For Martin, coins are more than a currency
- He initially worked as a precision engineer
- He has studied coin designs and motifs since childhood
Martin J. Fiedler learned to become highly accurate and precise when he completed his apprenticeship as a precision engineer. Getting lost in detail and creating pieces of art to the highest levels of perfection is his biggest talent. When he decided to combine this with his fascination for coins, the idea for his company Money Art Berlin was born. Since 1996 he has transformed gold and silver coins into precious cufflinks, chain pendants and money clips, a passion that has led to international success. For the last 20 years, Martin has continuously sought out the most beautiful and meaningful coins which with to work. Every single piece of his art is a unique handmade object.
INTERVIEW
For me, coins are not only necessary as companions in our lives as consumers, they are much more: their motifs reflect the culture and the history of each country they’re from. They represent the values and principles of that particular society, everything that is appreciated and respected.
First of all, I strongly believe that they deserve a second life. As soon as I start a new project, I try to literally carve out the original artistic decoration and meaning with my delicate instruments and tools. In so doing, I try to find the legacy of the coin which continues to exist in a self-contained piece of art.
I will never forget it! It was a German coin, worth 10 Pfennig, decorated with oak leaves. It had no substantial value at all, but for me it was the starting point of my career. Nowadays I work with original coins in silver and gold. If the coin is made of another metal, I produce a replica.
I start to refine it further. Sometimes, for example, small diamonds are placed in holes and set into the coin with a special technique. It’s my personal concern that I only use Fairtrade materials for my objects. Supporting positive social and ecological mining should be a matter of course in my profession.
