Continuing to expand on their Germania World, a creation based around a historical region of Europe in the times of the Roman Empire, Germania Mint has debuted the first in a new series called ‘Bõdvar Saga’. This series will be a focused one, concentrating on the story of a Germanic warrior, much like their flagship Lady Germania range. This contrasts with other series, like Witchcraft, Norns, Valkyries or Warriors, which encompass groups of characters, or with more nebulous ones, like Mythical Forest, Artefacts, or Beasts, that take a more conceptual look. Bodvar will have a more narrative approach.

It starts off, like all epic stories, with injustice and tragedy. The Romans came to his village, razed it in typical Roman style (there was much more casual brutality in Roman expansion than generally realised), and slaughtered most of the inhabitants. A warrior, Bodvar, has his wife die in his arms after telling him the Romans had taken their daughter. Bodvar is captured and chained. So starts a tale of rescue and revenge that will play out over at least three more issues.

The flagship coin takes a different approach, with the reverse featuring a whole face depiction of the legionnaire facing down the already chained Bodvar. There’s copious detail here, enhanced with high-relief and an antique finish. The scene that makes up a small part of the background of the one-ounce coins takes centre stage on the obverse here, with Bodvar cradling the body of his wife, the scene that will send him on his narrative journey. It sits within the open mouth of the bear, as if seen from within it.

As we said before, there are four variants of this debut Bodvar coin. The one-ounce design comes in a much requested copper version, a metal that will likely receive greater interest as silver remains historically high in price. There’s also a silver bullion version, and an antiqued and coloured version of that, which we feel is particularly well done, as Germania Mint has a fine grasp of the application of subtle colour, choosing not to overwhelm a design inappropriately. The antique finish suits the obverse, as well. This version, unlike the base silver and copper coins, comes boxed with a COA. The two-ounce coin comes boxed with a COA, but also in a soft pouch.

I’d hoped to have this article up yesterday, but the photos took longer than I anticipated as I continue to tinker with the unsuitable lighting I have. Nevertheless, they came out reasonably well, although the brilliant uncirculated finish is still a tough one to get right, so please let me know your opinions. As for the coins, it’s a great debut for the new series, and sure to generate interest in future issue.

NOTE: Added a couple of revised BU images.