CIT bring a fine selection of new releases and enhanced variations to existing coins with their Autumn Launch programme

Coroney has certainly changed the way some mints and producers are releasing their coins now,and we particularly like the way CIT have dealt with the disruption. Usually issuing for the major shows, they’ve now taken control of the calendar, choosing to bring out regular seasonal release batches, spacing them out better throughout the year.

The new Autumn Launch 2020 is the third such event, fourth if you count the Berlin WMF as the Winter Launch, and sees the debut of some great new releases, as well as the unveiling of new versions of favourites that hit the market earlier in the year. Both are superb showcases for their proprietary (with BH Mayer), Smartminting technology, now in its enhanced form.

The newbies include a Middle-Eastern literary legend, a Mongol Empire landmark, an iconic Chinese archaeological site, and a Faberge egg. New versions of previous coins include a monster-sized version of the striking Black Panther ‘Hunters at night’ coin, higher-end Fighter Pilot coins in new metals, and the Majestic Eagle coin with a new finish.

Another terrific line-up, it’s always a pleasure to see CIT stretch its imagination, and BH Mayer it’s minting capabilities. We’ll take a closer look at some over the next week or two, but we’ve collated a quick look at them all for you. Enjoy.

2021 MAGICAL LAMP

First of the new coins we’re looking at is one of the more impressive. CIT’s take on the whole ‘Arabian Nights’ saga is this extraordinary piece of Smartminted silver depicting the famous magic lantern, home of the wish-granting Genie. Rather than a staid view of the lamp on a shelf, the producer has laid the lamp, partly buried, in the desert sands, with a star-filled and partly coloured sky in the background.

The most impressive thing about this one is just how far CIT and BH Mayer can push a solitary ounce of silver to create these extrem levels of relief. Formally the exclusive reserve of multi-ounce coins, it’s clear the technology has allowed a greater creative freedom than ever before.

One of a few coins this time out that uses the black proof finish to great effect, this one has sleeper hit written all over it. The mintage of 1,001 is a neat nod to the original tale. A shaped minigold lamp coin is also coming to sit alongside this partly gilded coin.

2021 KARAKORUM 800TH ANNIVERSARY

Tiffany Art has been one of the most admired coin series in modern numismatic history, garnering multiple awards over its relatively lon life, but it finished last year, leaving a big hole in CIT’s range. It’s great to see the core concept hasn’t been abandoned, however, with this new issue celebrating 800 years since the founding of the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, Karakorum.

The same 2 oz rimless format that so defined Tiffany Art is back again, also using a similar artistic style. The focus is on the architecture, so no hordes of mounted Mongols sweeping across the steppes, but a detailed look at a lesser known side of Mongol culture.

The Tiffany glass-filled window is back, this time cleverly incorporated into the reverse face design, but less cleanly on the obverse than usual. That obverse actually makes a nice detour from the usual, with a quite unique looking choice of subject.

Limited to 800 pieces, it’s great to see Tiffany hasn’t gone away completely.

2021 TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

Another all-new design and series, this one looks set to take the place the Majestic Eagle did in January with a wide range of variants showing off CIT’s ability. All feature a reverse face struck in uktra-high relief, that depicts a close-up of some of the famous Terracotta Army figures from the tomb, multi-layered in the way that comes easily to Smartminting.

The obverse is also replete with high-relief, showing a brilliant example of depth and perspective using the four horses with the carriage to do so. The highlight piece is the biggest, a three ounce proof silver coin with the central warrior picked out in rose gold.

The 1 oz silver coin will be a good value option, devoid of gilding, but basically the same, including the impressive relief. The copper looks great, but we’ve really taken to the metal as a way of getting these hugely impressive pieces of coin art at a minimum cost. The Majestic Eagle coin in this metal is quite stuning in hand, and we suspect the same is true here. A minigold coin, obviously not offering high-relief as it weighs in at just 0.5 grams, it’s the Ringo of the band, carrying the same DNA, but overshadowed by its flashier compatriots.

2020 FIGHTER PILOT VARIANTS

This was a terrific issue earlier in the year, not only showcasing the capabilities of the new enhanced Smartminting process, but as a cool looking coin in its own right. The initial sell-out 3 oz black proof variant with the spectral visor has been joined by three new offerings, all carrying fundamentally the same design.

The main change is metal. A 1 oz gold and a 1 oz platinum variant join the line-up, both cleanly struck with small mintages (199 of each). No doubt added to show off Smartmintings capabilities in other spots on the Periodic Table, they appear to have managed easily.

A big 5 oz black proof gold coin is the last of the new trio. A brave decision to cover much of the gold was taken here, just allowing the natural metal to show through on the visor, as well as the silhouetted pilots on the obverse. No doubt a very pricey affair, which explains the mintage of just 29 pieces.

2021 FABERGE ROSE TRELLIS EGG

I’ve always been mystified by the whole Faberge Egg phenomenon, and the huge prices drawn from collectors for this gaudy Russian Imperial art (up to $33m), but it is a thing, and a popular one at that. CIT have already touched on the egg collection last year, with an anniversary edition showcasing the Apple Blossom Egg in the Liechtenstein Museum.

That one was done to mark a century since Peter Carl Faberge passed, this one to showcase the Rose Trellis Egg now located in a US museum. Smartminting has been used to create high relief covered in detail and colour, something it enables with ease. It’s a two-ouncer with a mintage of 888 pieces, a number which ironically looks like six eggs in a box from above…

2020 MAJESTIC EAGLE BLACK PROOF

A coin we’ve looked at in depth before, back when it was released at the Berlin World Money Fair early in 2020 (happy Covid-free times…), we did get the impression there was more to come, having seen a whole box of variants there.

We’ve already had various copper, gold and silver variants, but slotting in nicely between the older 1 oz and 3 oz silver issues, is this pretty 2 oz coin done in the elegant black proof finish we see CIT use with increasing regularity. Looks like one of the best of the bunch, although we still harbour a soft spot for the cheapest version they do – the humble 50 gram copper coin.

2021 HUNTERS BY NIGHT BLACK PANTHER KILO

A strong design in its original 2oz form, the ‘obsidian black’ finished big cat coin is a clever one, focusing on the Black Panther’s enhanced nocturnal hunting skills. Plenty of relief which looks great in hand, this will only be enhanced with the surprising addition of this one-kilogram variant.

Everything is still here, from the black finish to the coloured eyes, but at 100 mm in diameter, and with just 99 pieces being minted, this is on a whole other level. The box, which has a window you can see the eyes through, is a nice touch.