META-MATIC COIN. 1959. IRIS CLERT GALLERY.

Paris: Iris Clert, 1959

Swiss-born artist Jean Tinguely exhibited a number of “meta-matic” drawing machines at Galerie Iris Clert in Paris from July 1, 1959 , – mechanized table-top sculptures that created a drawing on a piece of paper without further human interference. In order to activate a machines, a custom-minted coin was inserted in a coin slot, which powered the machine on for a fixed duration.

One side of the coin reads: “XAVIER PONTUS VIVA EVA YVES HENRI IRIS” AND “META-MATIC” and on the other “METAMATICTINGUELY JUILLET 1959 PARIS”. In plastic coin box with foam backing. Very rare.