Memento Mori
What Does “Memento Mori” Really Mean—and Why It Still Matters Today
The Latin phrase engraved on Chris’ new release, Memento Mori (Remember Death), evokes the thought that, for humanity, life is truly short and fragile, and that our death is inevitable. Some people would find that warning depressing because no one likes to think of their own death as being inescapable, imminent or unavoidable. But, it can also be viewed as a positive inspiration as well. Let’s look at both interpretations.
2025 "Memento Mori" Silver Proof Coin, by Chris Duane
Although the thought of dying can be depressing, most people innately understand, and begrudgingly accept, the inevitability of their own deaths. As a result, they plan for the unforeseen future through their Last Will and Testaments. In addition, they purchase insurance, accumulate savings, and just as importantly, fund investments, which can also include home ownership, in order to try and offset their demise.
Most of these activities are undertaken with sobering determination, in order to provide for their children’s future upon their deaths. None of it is fun and most of it can cause the individual a high level of anxiety. But, they do it out of love and concern for their families and that helps get them through the emotionally grueling process, while at the same time, providing themselves with a bit of immortality as well.
But, let’s view the coin from a different perspective. Rather than associate the term, Memento Mori, with a profound sense of foreboding, it can also be interpreted to mean, "Make hay while the sun shines”, which was first coined by a farmer John Heywood in England in 1546. It reflected the need to cut, dry and store the hay for the livestock while the weather was sunny and dry, thus avoiding the potential for rot brought on by damp hay. Carpe Diem! Seize the day!
So, since your time on earth is short, you should get out there and do everything you can to make things better. Don’t waste a moment of the precious time you’ve been given here on earth. Make Good Things Happen by helping out wherever you can!
“Memento Mori” Silver Coin from Silver Shield
As Carnegie Mellon educator Randy Paush, who died at the age of 47 from pancreatic cancer, once said, “We don’t beat the Grim Reaper by living longer, we beat the Reaper by living well and living fully, for the Reaper will come for all of us.” To that end, just by accepting the concept of your death, you can be inspired to undertake many more improvements in your life which will not only positively affect your life but those living within your sphere of influence as well. Big improvements that you may not have pursued if you were to just drift along in life while thinking it will never end.
Luckily, for mankind, this is how God intended most people to view their lives. He did not place man on earth just to get by. He wants men to make a positive difference. He wants men to contribute their time, talent and tenacity towards the betterment of humanity. He wants men to spring into action!
Thankfully, as a result of this innate drive to improve things, most men get out of bed each morning and just naturally look forward to the future, which is how God wired them. They don’t muddle things over or debate the issues at hand. They simply awaken each morning with a grateful heart and the determination to make a positive contribution to themselves, their family and their community.
Trying to personally retain this positive point of view during the day can be challenging as men are constantly confronted by the more cynical observer, those who embrace the more negative interpretation of Chirs’ new coin. Many of those individuals believe others are out of touch with reality. Again, it's simply a matter of perspective. Choose wisely.
So, whether you decide to view Memento Mori through a positive or a negative lens, is strictly up to you. But, either way, just remember that life is short. Try and make the most of it. It’s a helluva lot more fun too!
Other 2025 Silver Shield Proof Round releases
