CIT extends its two iconic Mongolian nature coin series, one for the last time

Along with Tiffany Art, Coin Invest Trust’s most iconic series is the multi award-winning Wildlife Protection series. Issued under the Mongolian banner, the first of these one-ounce antiqued silver coins debuted way back in 2007 and immediately captured the imagination of collectors and awards judges everywhere. The first coin, featuring the Wolverine, won the Krause Coin of the year award and so it was in 2011 that the series embarked on a new one coin per year release schedule that’s continued to this day.

For 2017 CIT have gone with the Sable, a beautiful member of the Marten family that has been hunted throughout history and now farmed for its magnificent fur, just so it can be worn by the truly vain and ignorant members of our society as a trimming on their coats. The animal inhabits much of European Russia, Scandanavia and Poland.

The coin is a small departure from those that have come previously in that the subject doesn’t completely fill the coin, there being a small area of negative space on one side. It remains a fine looking coin, although for 2018 I’d like to see a full coverage again as it’s always been the signature feature of the series for me. There are the usual Swarovski crystals for eyes, which work well, one of the few series for which it does. The whole is antique-finished. Some 2,500 will be minted, each presented in a customised version of CIT’s coin box and enclosing a certificate of authenticity.

As is often the case, a 0.5g ‘minigold’ gold is also available. With the obvious constraints caused by such a small amount of metal, a different design is in evidence here, but collectors of this format, there seem to be a growing number, will like the level of detail on offer. This are supplied encapsulated with a certificate, but without a box.

There’s also a minigold version of the other of CIT’s big Mongolian releases, Mongolian Nature: Roaring Deer. Identical in format and also having a 15,000 maximum mintage, the design of this one also carries a lot of detail for its diminutive 11 mm diameter. Again, the design is vastly different to the main attraction.

The fifth of the main silver coins to be launched and sadly the last, Roaring Deer is a superb way to bow out and possibly the best of them all. Struck in a half-ounce of sterling silver, the highlight of these is the cut-out silhouette of the animal and a small part of its background. The best one previously we think was the first in the series, Howling Wolf and this last coin goes back to the arcing moon that was so impressive back in 2013. The coin is finally gilded, with the brilliant uncirculated finish of the silver meaning the gold doesn’t end up being off-puttingly shiny.

Very elegant and simple designs, numismatically these are proof of the old adage that sometimes less is more. The originators of this technique, CIT did produce an excellent Kiwi coin for the New Zealand Post last year and we’ll have details of a new series later this week from somebody else, although like the Kiwi, that one won’t be gilded either. Presented in a cool little themed tin, we’ve been hugely impressed by this five-coin series and would recommend a look if you’re interested. Also capped at 2,500 units, this should be available some time .

Both these coins are available from site sponsors PowerCoin and Minted-UK. We know First Coin Company, World Ancient Coins and Pela Coins have had previous issues. The Sable should be shipping next month, with the deer in April.