Also called the Spirit Board, the Ouija Board can trace its roots back to early 12th century China, where it was known as Fuji planchette writing, and used to commune with the spirit world. It wasn’t until post-civil war America, that it became more widely known, as the usual predatory lowlifes came out of the woodwork to prey on those missing family members lost during the war. As you’d expect, their use is considered wrong by most of the world’s religions, but that hasn’t stopped it inspiring various literary, and popular culture endeavours over the past few decades.

The Ouija itself is, in its basic form, a flat board, on which is marked the Latin alphabet, the numbers 0-9, and the words ‘YES’ and ‘NO’. Using a planchette (a heart-shaped token, usually of wood), participants place their fingers on it, and are ‘compelled’ to move it amongst the numbers and letters to spell out words and phrases, ostensibly by spirits answering questions put to them. It’s all nonsense, of course, and like all things of this ilk, it was commercialised, and is sold as a curio these days.

The planchette was often richly decorated, and that’s certainly the case with this terrific coin design. There’s a heavy skull theme across both faces, interlaid with roses and occult symbols. The alphabet arcs around a large central skull, and mimicking early planchettes, is missing the letter ‘J’. It’s all very Gothic, and completely gorgeous.

The packaging, designed by a Melbourne artist, opens up to reveal a full Ouija board printed inside. Its design matches the Gothic style of the coin, so you’re ready to get up and talking to your great, great, great, great grandpa as quickly as possible… I have to admit to loving this one. It takes theming to a high level, and does it with great aplomb. Just 199 will be struck, and it’s available to order now, with delivery in October.