On the first side, a cauldron carries the Latin inscription ars magica semper aeterna, meaning “The magical art, ever eternal.” The cauldron has long been a symbol of mystery and transformation, a vessel that holds and reshapes whatever is placed within. It speaks to the alchemy of life itself, where memory, beauty, and imagination are gathered and made new. This penny is the first and perhaps only penny which is finished by hand by Kathryn, who has done the final engraving on each cauldron to give them a more natural look and allowing each cauldron to be slightly unique.

The reverse carries a touch of humor. In the early 1800s, seal engravers created a playful design showing a woman riding a broom in place of the traditional hobby horse. It was meant as a visual pun, a joke about hobbies with a mischievous twist. The penny reimagines that motif in a simpler form, showing only the witch’s hat and broom beside the words all have their hobbies. The result keeps the humor of the original while leaving room for the viewer to decide whether the witch’s pastime is just a joke, or a real art in itself.

Together, the two sides form a talisman that balances depth and levity. The cauldron speaks of eternal transformation, while the hat and broom remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.