“I am the Law!!” The shield of Judge Dredd, British comic 2000AD’s most iconic character, is replicated as a silver coin

I remember the feeling of awe when, as a child, I was bought the first issue of a new British comic, 2000AD. It was 1977, and included the return of classic character Dan Dare. However, it was the second issue that was to reveal the real star of the show – Judge Dredd. Set in a future apocalyptic American east coast, he was a law enforcer, called Judges because they also dispensed sentences, including the death penalty, and were the ultimate arbiters of justice in the megalopolis called Mega City One.

The cast of characters over the ensuing five decades has been incredible, from standard perps, to supernatural entities, like the Dark Judges. The original character development was handled by the writer John Wagner, and the illustrator, Carlos Ezquerra, but many others have written for, and drawn the character since, including absolute legends like Garth Ennis, Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Mark Millar. The lore, setting, and imagery is off-the-charts brilliant, and I’ve been baffled how no coin producer has tapped into it – until now.

101 Collectibles, in partnership with Rebellion Developments (owner of the character since 2000), have embarked on what we hope is a long program of releases, starting with Dredd’s instantly recognisable badge. The shield is worn from a thick chain, and a key part of the Judge’s uniform, incorporating the eagle meant to represent justice. Struck in an ounce of silver, it’s a terrific rendition, even if I’d like it to have been gilded rather than antiqued, or better still, gilded and then antiqued. It’s very clean, unencumbered with issue inscriptions, which are all kept on the obverse.

Nicely presented in a neat box, along with a certificate of authenticity, just 999 will be struck. We’re hoping that a new Dredd movie will be greenlit soon, with the rumours suggesting that Taika Waititi may be at the helm. Given how incredible the 2012 Dredd film was, I’d rather see the Pete Travis/Alex Garland/Karl Urban team return (Dredd is too dark for Waititi, in my opinion), but at least it won’t be a remix of the uber-trash 1995 Stallone film we don’t like to talk about. A fine debut for a brilliant licence, the coin is available now.