German producer, Le Grand, is one that doesn’t follow the herd, choosing to go their own route with some very varied, and unusual designs. They employ some of the best coin designers working today, people like Miroslav Hric, and Carmen Testa, for example, and the results speak for themselves.

Le Grand issues under several names, and here we have their primary brand, Le Grand Mint, as well as Lebanon Mint, and Syria Mint, the latter pair drawing from Middle-Eastern culture, itself quite a refreshing change from the usual fare. There’s a mix of proof, with various finishes, and bullion, so something for everyone. Check these out.

The ancient kingdom of Lydia, situated in what is now modern Türkiye, came to fruition in the 9th century BCE, and remained one of many powers in the region, before being subsumed by the Achaemenid Empire in 546 BCE. Its last king was Croesus, who reigned for almost 40 years before being defeated by the Persian king, Cyrus the Great.

Croesus is a bit of a legend in numismatic circles, having been credited with issuing the first true gold coins meant for general circulation, and having a fixed purity. They were part of a system that included multiple weights of silver coins, giving us something similar to what we have today, but using precious metal exclusively. That coin, issued from 550 BCE, called the Croesid (Kroiseioi stateres), featured a bull and a lion, facing each other.

Le Grand’s new coin, designed by Miroslav Hric, draws heavily from that original. Here we have the two beasts in conflict, and there’s no confusing which is predator, and which is prey. It’s a terrific depiction, with some fine anatomy, and very dynamic. It isn’t a perfect homage, as the original coin was meant to symbolise a more balanced relationship between the two, but it does get to the essence of that 2,500-year-old original, regardless. The obverse is a pretty mix of patterns inspired by the regional art style.

There are three variants of this two-ounce coin, each with a mintage of 111 pieces. One is a clean proof, one is coloured on the reverse face, and the last has gilding and ruthenium plating on both faces. All are boxed with a COA. We really like this one!

Another design by Miroslav Hric, this coin is issued to mark a century since the establishment of the Greater Lebanon Republic on 01 September 1926. Lebanon has had a tumultuous history, especially since the beginning of the second half of the 20th century. Situated between Syria and Israel, it has been fought over by both, and suffered badly as a result.

The history here is incredible, with human habitation dating back 7,000 years at least, and it’s been a part of countless empires throughout that time. While the country has no official emblem, the flag features a cedar tree, so the coin features that prominently. It sits atop a gorgeous construction that Lebanon would do well to adopt as an official one. A bust of a beautiful woman is flanked by a pair of Griffin reaching up to admire the cedar tree. A geometric pattern fills the background field, which cleverly incorporates the word ‘LEBANON’.

By contrast, the obverse is a simple Public Seal of Niue, which is gilded, against a ruthenium plated background, just like the reverse face. A very attractive coin, and it’s fantastic to see a country like Lebanon, so under-served in numismatics, have a spotlight shone on it. Just 111 of these will be struck, and it comes boxed, and with a COA. A cleanly struck variant is also available, with a mintage of 222.

Joining the Lebanon Mint, is the Syria Mint, representing a nation with an even more brutal modern history than Lebanon. It’s equally rich in ancient history, however, being a key part of a region that can trace complex civilisations back to the very beginning of them. The potential for modern numismatics seems almost limitless, and this coin is a fine example of that.

Rather than another two-ounce proof coin, this is a bullion coin, tipping the scales at just 10 grams, and with a big mintage of 100,000 pieces. Does that mean we get a simpler, less-defined strike? No, it doesn’t, not on the evidence we’ve seen. Designed by Italian coin artist, Carmen Testa, this is a superb coin.

The reverse face is themed around a popular theme from the ancient world – the bee. Overlaid on a geometric floral pattern, with a Middle-Eastern essence to it, are four bees. A large queen, and three drones, are meant to symbolise fertility and community, and despite the busy background, they stand out clearly. The obverse is even better, in my view. The same pattern, albeit smaller, returns, but here, an imposing stylised eagle, with extended wings, dominates. The script used for the inscriptions is an appropriate touch.

A fine release, we’ll try to pick one up to photograph.

The second issue in the Algorithm: Emotions subset is also available, and this series, based around various complex repeating design elements, is an odd one indeed. Coming across like a mix of Ancient Egyptian, and Pablo Picasso art, we’ll leave it to Le Grand Mint to explain.

“The second coin of the successful algorithm series “Emotions” analyses humanity and its times – a humanity that is increasingly interconnected, but at the same time increasingly lonely. In a complex, fragmented, and fluid society that seems to have neither fathers nor heirs, where appearances triumph over substance, the true values of life. In this universe, humanity becomes depressed and experiences a deep crisis between what it is and what it should be. These two essential components meet and collide in the unconscious dimension, which becomes the stage for experiencing one’s own emotions – an almost dreamlike dimension that heals conflicts and enables their sublimation. There are moments in life, phases, in which grief outweighs happiness, or so it seems, but time and again, happiness will be able to overcome grief, provided hope remains.”

Whatever the explanation, it’s a striking piece of art, and it joins a series filled with equally unusual designs. Struck with high-relief, and on a domed coin, this is something quite different to the norm, and the Algorithm series as a whole is definitely one to watch if you like something a little off the norm. We do.