Often forgotten in the clamour for information on the latest Tiffany, Mongolian Nature, and Wildlife Protection coins, Coin Invest Trust (CIT) actually launch a wide range of new coins at the World Money Fair in Berlin every year. We’re going to cover them over the next week or so and the first is this intriguing new coin that continues CIT’s habit of experimenting with inserts.

Titled ‘History of the Samurai’, this antique-finish, part-coloured silver coin has a small inset piece of genuine Samurai armour, set in a square window in the lower part of the reverse side. It’s certainly an unusual item to put in a coin, but equally certainly it’s bang on subject. The main coin design depicts a pair of expertly coloured Samurai warriors in combat against a clean-struck background containing traditional Japanese elements.

Issued for the Cook Islands, the coin is presented in one of CIT’s standard wooden coin boxes with a customised lid. This recent trend is much welcomed and one we hope continues on. Shipping at the start of April for around the €110/$150 mark, one that could be a hit.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Samurai is the name used, predominantly in the West, for warriors of pre-modern Japan. The expression Bushi is more common in the Land of the Rising Sun itself.

Over time, Samurai ideology was strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism. Thus, a firm code of honour for justice and the protection of the weak and defenceless developed. Bushido or «the path of the warrior» also stood for self-sacrifice, absolute loyalty, bravery, maximum weapon mastery and being on constant standby to fight.

• Authentic piece of Samurai Armour
• Customised box included
• 1 oz of Samurai History

INCORPORATES A FRAGMENT OF ACTUAL SAMURAI ARMOUR