2018-06-05 Tue

“Frankenstein” or “The Modern Prometheus” is a novel written by Mary Shelley (1797–1851) an English author. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a grotesque but sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Dr. Victor Frankenstein tries to destroy the monster he creates but it escapes. Things go back to normal, but then, the creature returns and asks the doctor for one of two things: a bride or revenge.

Shelley started writing the story when she was 18, and the first edition of the novel was published anonymously in London on 1 January 1818, when she was 20. Her name first appeared on the second edition, published in France in 1823.

Regarded as the first true science fiction story, it has elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic Movement. The novel has received a huge critical acclamation and the story has been adopted in numerous plays, movies and dramas. The Frankenstein “monster” or “creature” too features many horror movies.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the novel. To commemorate this, the Royal Mint has issued 2 Pound Brilliant Uncirculated Cupro-Nickel coins. The obverse has the portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth in the centre looking right with official legend and denominational value around. The reverse has the truncated legend “Bicentenary of Mary Shelley’s” (above) “Frankenstein” (centre) “1818-The Modern Prometheus-2018” (below). The Edge too has an inscription “A spark of being”.

A night’s feverous dream that led Mary to write about a terrible creature that was to become one of the most famous horror stories ever written! You never know what might inspire us, isn’t it?

Image Courtesy: www.collectors-club-of-great-britain.co.uk/