It’s fair to say the ancient world has been comprehensively mined for inspiration in the coin world, and with a standard of quality that’s sky-high. Such luminaries as CIT, Mint of Poland, Mint XXI, Numiscollect, and more, have issued some quite superb designs over the last few years, but equally, the genre has been blighted with many incomplete and abandoned series, ill-defined in scope, which leave collectors frustrated.

Today sees the debut of something that should have immense appeal to serious collectors who love this theme. Mint XXI has launched its ‘The Great Greek Mythology’ series, consisting of an ambitious 36 coins, to be released over a four-year period, with what looks to be three batches of three coins annually. It becomes even more interesting when you realise the series comprises a trio of different sizes – 1 oz, 2 oz, and 3 oz. Overall, if the chart we’ve seen is completely accurate and fixed, there will be 12 one-ounce coins, 19 two-ounce coins, and 5 three-ounce coins.

Despite the differences in weight, all the coins will feature impressive levels of high-relief, even the smallest of them, which sacrifices a little diameter to that relief, coming in at 32 mm, instead of the usual 40 mm. As you will see below, it’s well worth it. All will be antique-finished with gilded highlights, the two largest formats presented in wooden boxes, the smallest also boxed, but in a lighter weight material.

On the evidence of the three releases below, this should be a terrific series. The one-ounce coin is particularly impressive, keeping up with its larger brethren in terms of relief. Check out the angled real-world images, rather than the face-on product shots, to see them at their best. All are available to order today, from the usual Mint XXII dealers, or from Top World Coins, the mints affiliate dealer. A series to watch, with a pre-defined release schedule, choice of weights (and thus, cost), and Mint XXI’s usual top-notch production quality.

While Poseidon is no stranger to coins, indeed, no stranger to beautiful coins, this one will have no trouble competing. The debut three-ounce coin features an action-packed design, with Poseidon, gilded trident in hand, surrounded by myriad elements, including a ship, sea creatures, and a beautifully flowing octopus/Kraken. All well on theme for the god of the seas.

Set over a background field of Greek-style patterns aligned with the circumference, it makes an attractive frame. Just the word ‘POSEIDON’ is placed on this face, and even that is neatly meshed in, with a tentacle passing through the first O. There’s a nice, busy obverse that’s common to all three sizes. The Parthenon is set in the centre, in-situ on the Athenian Acropolis, and it’s surrounded by rings of clouds, laurel wreaths, text, and Greek patterns.

The two-ounce format looks like it’ll be the most common, making up 19 of the 36 issues in the series. It’s a good compromise of price and size, so a sensible decision, we think. The goddess of love, life, and fertility, Aphrodite is the star of the debut coin, depicted in flowing robes, and holding a gilded apple. Born of sea foam, she is surrounded by breaking waves, which hold a trio of well realised dolphins leaping through the surface.

The same background patterns are present, although different in design, and again, the only inscription is the title. There’s some lovely design touches in this one, and it’s packed to the gills with them. An elegant design.

The smallest format is represented by the Cyclops. This isn’t the usual depiction of a semi-naked brute armed with a club, but a more sophisticated brute, with a short-handled axe, and full body armour. He certainly looks the part, and despite the small weight, the high-relief is top-notch. The gilding is there, the antique-finish is there, and so are all the background elements of the larger coins. If your budget is smaller, or you simply like this design, it seems you’ll have to give up very little to dip into this series. A first-class start.