A culture and two legendary people from ancient and medieval history are the stars of three new coins from three different producers
History, whether it be the great civilisations, epic battles, or pivotal individuals, has always been a choice subject for modern numismatics, which goes some way to explaining why we’ve covered so many of them here. Nothing has changed, it continues to be popular, and the quality continues to be sky-high, as you’ll see from this trio of coins from three different producers.
The first of them is from relatively new producer, T&S Coin. They’ve rapidly built up a reputation for outstanding design, aided by a first-rate artist, and their latest issue is very much a T&S coin in style. ‘Vikings’ is the third in a series of two-ounce coins featuring ancient and medieval peoples, and follows the excellent ‘Sparta’, and ‘Troya’ (Trojan) designs, both of which sold out at the mint.
Vikings is similar in style to Sparta, but considerably more dynamic, highlighting the fabled berserker legend. They’ve eschewed colour this time, but we still get plenty of gilded highlights to contrast with the antique finish, and high-relief looks well utilised on both faces (the common obverse returns). This is a fine looking coin, probably our favourite of the three in this series to date.
The second of this trio is actually the third in Mint XXI’s 12-coin take on the legendary figures in Norse history, and follows Ragnar Lothbrok, and Erik the Red, in a series called The Way to Valhalla. It’s a smaller companion range to this producer’s ambitious ‘Great Greek Mythology’ series, but a superior one, in my view.
Freydis Eriksdottir was the daughter of Erik the Red, and the sister of Leif Erikson, who featured prominently in the Norse exploration of Vinland (North America), and was by most accounts, not a well regarded woman, treacherous, but brave. There’s quite a bit of that attitude present in this superb depiction of her, with Freydis casually holding her shield and axe, while standing in front of her longship.
The series signature look is some red coloured highlights over an antiqued finish, and that is also the case here, with her fur so tinted. Another beautiful issue in what is shaping up to be (one of) the best Norse-themed set of coins to date. The obverse is one common to the series, so that remains unchanged. A very impressive release.
Our final look is at the second in Allcollect’s ‘Great Commanders’ series of five-ounce coins. The first to drop was 2023’s ‘Leonidas’, the famed Spartan who led the Greek force defending the pass at Thermopylae from the Persian Empire. Alexander the Great does his duty on the 2024 issue, and its familial heritage is obvious. Antique-finished, with gilded and red-coloured highlights, it’s very much in the same vein as Leonidas, and just as impressive.
Here, Alexander is shown in battle, armoured, and on horseback. Aside from some cavalry in one spot, the background is filled with a Greek-style border pattern. The use of five ounces of silver has certainly helped this 65 mm diameter coin keep up the levels of high-relief, and the end result is a superb realisation of a man many consider the greatest military commander in history.
The obverse is similar to the 2023 issue, except the central motif has changed to one more associated with the Macedonian leader. Surprisingly given the size, this has the highest mintage of the three coins here, at 750 pieces. While we don’t have images of it, the coin does come boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity.
ISSUE | DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSION | FINISH | MINTAGE |
VIKINGS | $5 NZD (Niue) | 62.2 g of 0.999 silver | 45.0 mm | Antique, Gilding | 500 |
FREYDIS | 2,000 Francs CFA (Cameroon) | 62.2 g of 0.999 silver | 50.0 mm | Antique, Colour | 500 |
ALEXANDER | 5,000 Francs CFA (Cameroon) | 155.5 g of 0.999 silver | 65.0 mm | Antique, Colour | 750 |
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