Mint of MK demonstrates an adventurous streak with three quirky new coin releases in silver and copper

While still relatively new on the scene, Mint of MK has quickly built itself a varied portfolio of sometimes quite extraordinary coins, over a broad range of themes, and utilising an equally broad selection of formats. The range does have some things in common. High-relief is extensively used, an antiqued finish also, but when the subject requires it, MK has no issue bringing something quite unique to market. That so many have very small mintages, often down in double figures, is an added bonus.

The first one of the three new releases we’re looking at here, is the perfect example of doing something different. Last year, MK debuted a quite brilliant apple-shaped coin, formed in 400 grams of fine copper, which, using flame, and colour, did a nigh-on perfect job of replicating the look of this popular fruit. Now they’re back with a second bite, and it’s the persimmon, a popular fruit, technically a berry, that is primarily grown in China.

Again, the look is just about perfect, although we guess this one is easier to replicate in colour than the extraordinary apple was. It’s hyperrealistic, and a superb example of finishing. Yes, it’s a full denominated coin, although we can only imagine the look on the face of somebody offered one in payment… A very niche item, of course, but you have to admire the imagination.

2025 PERSIMMON

MK has quite a wide range of coins, dipping into the myths and legends of various cultures around the world. Some are quite dark in nature, but that isn’t an observation you could make about this one. A real staple of the fantasy world, especially that of Tolkien through his epic Lord of the Rings universe, the Dwarves originated in German folklore, said to possess skills in stonemasonry and metallurgy, and inhabiting mountains and caves. They’re short and stocky, and often depicted as up for a fight.

We really love the coin. It ticks all the traditional boxes for what the popular image of this fantasy race looks like, but with a lightly humorous filter. There are so many small details employed to recreate that popular image, and the contrasting shorts are a nice touch. As you can see in the images, there’s no shortage of high-relief.

The obverse is equally packed, recreating a Dwarfish habitat, with several structures, and trees. It’s also carrying golden highlights, but another signature technique of MK’s – UV enamel – is also present to great effect. When the lights go down, and when a UV light source is pointed at it, the coin becomes a riot of eerie colour, It suits the theme really well, adding an extra dimension to the scene. Just 199 of these will be struck.

2025 THE DWARF

Lastly, we have a coin that’s quite hard to pigeon-hole at first glance. It’s called ‘Ethereal Exchange’ and depicts a marketplace in the afterlife, where a skeletal trader offers unusual artifacts from an eternal realm. It’s quite a macabre vista, enhanced by the UV enamel application that bursts to life with eerie glows (they call them ‘ectoplasmic tendrils’) when the normal lights go out, and UV light reigns.

The obverse is super-weird, featuring a biomechanical skull, still adorned with some flesh, on a dystopian interpretation of the journey from the physical to the ethereal. This is quite the striking design, quite hard to read in part, but certainly very imaginative. The coin joins an eclectic mix of similar issues, which we really must get around to rounding up into a profile at some point.

2025 ETHEREAL EXCHANGE

ISSUE DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSION FINISH MINTAGE
PERSIMMON 100 Francs CFA (Cameroon) 400.0 g of 0.999 copper 73.0 x 60.0 mm Colour, Gilding 999
DWARF 2,000 Francs CFA (Cameroon) 62.2 g of 0.999 silver 45.0 x 48.5 mm Antique, Gilding, UV Enamel 199
ETHEREAL 2,000 Francs CFA (Cameroon) 62.2 g of 0.999 silver 50.0 mm Antique, Colour, UV Enamel 199