Proof Coins

Before a mint begins a full production of coins with a new design, they first do a small series of what are called “proof coins.” These are not coins that are meant to go into circulation but are used to check that the design will work and they don’t end up wasting a bunch of coins on a faulty design. Nowadays, proof coins are highly sought after by collectors. To ensure that these coins are of the highest quality, the dies are cleaned and polished before each pressing, each coin is pressed one at a time by hand, and the coins are sometimes stamped six or seven times to ensure that the engraving is perfect and has a brilliant, mirror-like finish. Jesus once compared His believers to silver coins (Luke 15:8-9). In another Parable, every servant who heeded the call to labor in the field received a coin from the Master’s hand. (Matthew 20:1-16).

“And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:20-21). We have to be careful whose image it is that we have stamped on our coin. As Alma asked, “I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?” (Alma 5:19). If we are to be a true proof coin, having the image of God engraven upon our countenances and upon the fleshy tables of our hearts, then we must submit ourselves to the process. Just as proof coins must be struck by the die many times, so, too, must we give up our lives for Christ’s sake and die and then be reborn many times. Proof coins are not meant to go into general circulation. We, likewise, do not want to be passed around from one philosophy or ideology to another, but rather remain safe and secure in the Treasuries of Heaven. When the Savior comes again to settle all accounts and reign in Judgment, do we want to be found with our coin engraven with the image of Caesar or some other celebrity or guru or influencer or politician, or do we want to hand over our coin to the Savior with His image and likeness engraven thereon? I hope that we will all come to recognize that each and every one of us is a precious coin of infinite worth and our Savior Jesus Christ will do anything He can to keep each of us in His glittering collection.