The Witcher is the world’s first silver statue legal-tender coin, and it’s a beauty

We’ve seen a small increase in the number of miniatures/statuettes over the last few years, mainly with a range from the New Zealand Mint related to its various entertainment franchises (Disney, Star Trek, DC), and from Heads or Tales with a fine dinosaur selection (amongst others). We’ve even had the legendary Chiwoo Cheonwang get the treatment, but all have lacked one particular element that this debut release from the Mint of Gdansk has – legal tender coin status.

The statues themselves – there are two using the same design but with different weights – are the first in the producers ‘The Witcher’ franchise, which has already seen two coin releases to date, both struck by the Mint of Poland, but this is not only their first coin statue, but we also believe, the world’s first of its type. There will be twelve issues in total, running one per year until 2032, and where better to start than the main protagonist of the hit Polish saga ?

Called White Wolf, this is firmly based on the books, not the Henry Cavill fronted Netflix series, like the coins from this producer, it’s an extraordinarily well realised figurine. This isn’t just a few bits of detail scattered over areas of blank void, but every surface is instead seemingly packed with intricacy. We’re hugely impressed with what we see here, with even the five-ounce version holding up very well to the one-kilo behemoth. The armour, twin swords, the way the clothing looks natural, – perfectly done.

That attention to detail even extends to the gorgeous base. Again, they could have just gone with a bare disc, but obvious care and attention has instead been expended on something unique and complimentary. Under the base is cast-in the Niue issue details, along with the effigy of Elizabeth of Windsor. Mintages are 1,000 for the five-ounce, and just 100 for the kilo. An unexpected release, and a cracking debut. Future issues (schedule lower down) will include three more characters, with eight dedicated to different books in the bibliography. As good as this is, we reckon the best may be yet to come. One to watch.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Geralt of Rivia is a fictional character and the protagonist of The Witcher series of short stories and novels by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. He is called Gwynbleidd (White Wolf) by the Dryads and elves, also known as the Butcher of Blaviken. He is a magically enhanced monster-hunter known as “witcher”, who also possesses supernatural abilities due to his mutations. He has been described as a character embodying “the neo-liberal anti-politics” spirit of the Polish popular culture of the 1990s, following his debut in the books.

When he was a kid her mother gave him to the School of the Wolf at Kaer Morhen to be trained and transformers as a witcher. After supporting many mutations that granted him abilities, Geralt became one of the few remaining witchers on the Continent, is a traveling monster slayer for hire, mutated and trained from an early age to slay deadly beasts. He eventually ended up unknowingly invoking “the Law of surprise” as a reward, which eventually causes a great connection with the Princess Cirilla. When they finally meet, Geralt takes car of her, and trains her to become a Witcher. He also fell in love with sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg and considered the love of his life despite their tumultuous relationship.

The series will include 12 figurines, released each year. Together they will form a unique collection. 8 figurines represent the next volumes of the Witcher saga and 4 figurines represent the main characters from the saga.

ISSUE PLAN:

1.White Wolf (2021)

2. The Last Wish (2022)

3. Sword of Destiny (2023)

4. Yennefer, Sorceress of Vengerberg (2024)

5. Blood of Elves (2025)

6. Time of Contempt (2026)

7. Buttercup, Troubadour (2027)

8. Baptism of Fire (2028)

9. The Tower of the Swallow (2029)

10. Ciri, Child of Surprise (2030)

11. The Lady of the Lake (2031)

12. Season of Storms (2032)