Le Grand Mint’s insect themed ‘Èntoma’ silver coin series adds the Scarab Beetle, joining earlier Bee and Ladybird issues

Le Grand Mint (LGM) continues to bring its eclectic mix of nature and geometry to coins with the third in their impressive Èntoma series of silver coins. This series first debuted in 2023, with the bee as its theme, followed in 2024 with a pretty Ladybird (or Ladybug, depending on where you are). Each coin takes an insect, and combines it with a geometric patterned background element, not a simple repeating pattern, but a crafted one with its own form.

This third issue, launched today, features one of the more historically fascinating insects, the Scarab Beetle, famed for its association with Ancient Egyptian culture and mythology. There, it was revered, and had significant religious importance, representing creation, rebirth, and the passage of the sun (it was a symbol of Khepri, the sun god). Each face of the coin is similarly finished and embellished, but depicts a different view of the insect.

On the reverse, the beetle is shown walking across a surface made of dodecahedrons, which LGM says represents “a jagged and fragmented path that symbolises the complexity of the world in which we live”, while on the obverse, it’s shown in flight over a reinterpretation of the Renaissance matrix “mazzocchio”. This “symbolises both essentiality and complexity, teaching us that only a
broad and open vision of the world and of ourselves allows us to soar
and overcome our limits.” The obverse is particularly effective in showing depth and motion, as the geometry dives downwards.

The coin is available in two weights, with a baseline one-ounce, and an ultra-high-relief two-ounce, with added depth. Each of the two weights is available in a choice of three finishes. The first is dark ruthenium plated, and has gilded beetles on both faces. We expect this to be the most expensive variant, although not by much. Sitting in the middle is the proof/coloured coin, which appears to have a colouration replicating iridescence. Finally, there’s the clean proof strike. All come boxed, and with a certificate of authenticity. An unusual style, and a fine design, marks this series out as something different from the usual nature coin. Available to order now.