Harry Potter magics his way into the Monnaie de Paris with a new range, including a shaped Hedwig

Harry Potter seems to zip about the coin world more than most, having already appeared at the Crown Mint for several issues, MDM, and in more numerous form, at the New Zealand Mint. We can now add the Monnaie de Paris to this convoluted mix with their new range of precious metal coins.

The most striking of the range is clearly the shaped ‘Hedwig’ owl coin, with the mint making a rare foray into shaped numismatics. It’s a pretty cool looking design, showing the owl holding Potter’s acceptance letter into Hogwarts. The obverse continues the theme with the back of the owl being depicted, into which is inscribed the denomination, etc. The two formats are Monnaie de Paris staples – the one ounce gold and the 22.2 gram silver.

The biggest of the ‘normal’ format coins is a five-ounce silver coin with some selective colour highlighting on the obverse. This one shows Harry, Hermione and Ron ready for action, and the Hogwarts shield emblem, with the four house emblems coloured, fills the obverse. Not a huge coin at 50 mm in diameter, we’re expecting decent relief at least, and the design is good.

The other design comes in two formats and seems to be artistically a bit more adventurous. This one has a close in portrait of Harry Potter, with Dumbledore filling the background a little further away. It looks like the glasses have been enhanced through the use of differing finishes, but we’ll have to reserve judgment until actual coin images are available. It does look promising. Again, inscriptions are minimal.

The obverse is similar to that of the five ounce coin, but without the colour. The same 22.2 gram silver format as usual, but the gold is at least a more affordable quarter-ounce. All are boxed with a C.O.A. As well as the coins, the Monnaie de Paris is also dropping in a lapel pin, medallions and base metal coins to suit more budgets. All are available to order from tomorrow.