It was back in June 2020 that we covered the first of Mint XXI’s new ‘Goddesses of Health’ range of 50 gram, 50 mm diameter silver coins. We had to laugh about the unfortunate timing of the release, just as a global pandemic took hold, but it was a very vibrantly coloured, antique-finished coin, with a bit of a Victorian-era artistic style. They started off in the Greco-Roman world, but true to their word, the series has trotted off around the globe to encompass a wide selection of cultures.

We’ve had Slavic, Norse, Mayan, and Celtic goddesses since then, and this sixth coin in the series has landed in Asia, more specifically the Hindu world, especially around Northern India. Shitala is depicted holding a pot and a broom, as she often is in her mythology, and her image is often carried as a lucky talisman. She is said to cure ‘poxes, sores, ghouls, pustules and diseases’ (obviously except Covid…) and was born of a sacrificial fire.

Again, this is a bright, colourful design, and while the subjects vary considerably, Mint XXI has managed to depict them all with a consistent artistic style. We particularly like the subtly different border designs on each coin, which draw from the culture that worshipped the specific goddess. Boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity, the coin has a mintage of 999 pieces and is available to pre-order now.