We’re huge admirers of Today’s miniature weapons, even though they’re neither coins or stackable bullion. The level of detailing and imaginative designs of this range has been quite extraordinary, enough to inspire others to get into the field, like Silver Pours/Mint of MK, Spectres, and Precious Metal Collectors, for example. This range is firmly rooted in fantasy, and this Phoenix Arcblade follows the earlier Sword of Chiwoo, steeped in Korean legend.

It’s a gorgeous piece, formed from 2.5 ounces of fine silver. The reasoning behind its name is immediately obvious, as it’s a curved (arced) blade, extravagantly adorned with a quite stunning phoenix, with its tail reaching down the shaft, feathers spiralling around for two-thirds of its length. At the butt cap of the shaft, there’s a decorated ring and wings. The shaft itself is heavily textured. Honestly, I’m finding it impossible to pick fault with this one. Beautiful. Just 5,000 will be produced, half that of the Sword of Chiwoo, and it comes boxed, and in a custom capsule.

American Football is a reasonably popular subject for coins, and so are sports balls, with the latter getting everything from cricket balls to footballs (the proper sort), often for specific sporting events, and often fully spherical. This latest Samoan coin is a high-relief domed strike, and not NFL themed, which is fair enough, given the sport has a following in many countries, and I don’t doubt an NFL licence would need for every employee at the mint having to sell a kidney (or two) to pay for it.

I initially glossed over this one, but it’s actually a fine design. The convex side is textured like a ball, complete with lace, and the issue inscriptions are placed to not be too intrusive. The concave side has a superb rendition, in high-relief, of a player running with the ball across the 50-yard line. The anatomy looks great, always a bugbear of mine on many coins, and the clothing is well realised. The exaggerated stadium perspective is spot-on, although a few players in the background would have boosted it a little. Regardless, this two-ounce silver coin is an excellent tribute to a popular sport.

Finally, we have the baby of the trio, weighing in at an ounce. This is a simply beautiful anchor design, with an intertwined rope. There are shades of the Norse style here, although I wouldn’t say that was what it is exactly, and the intricately inscribed patterns cover almost every surface. The rope is perfectly textured, and the way the inscribed issue details run along it, is quite sublime.

Again, it’s one I initially glossed over at first glance, but I did it a disservice, I think, as it’s a gorgeous example of the type. This one comes boxed, with a certificate, all looking very dapper, as we say. The anchor rounds out a terrific trio of new issues.