Although relatively new, producer MK have already made quite a splash with just their first two releases. The first was the size of a dinner plate, and the second actually was one, so we do expect ambitious design when we get news of a new one. We certainly got it with this new Nine Dragons range, and just in time for the Lunar Year of the Dragon in 2024.

The series is called ‘9 Dragons’ and takes a selection of Asian dragons of lore, each with a unique design, and each offered with a choice of four different finishes. There’s a simple silver finish, an antiqued one, a gilded one, and the last is done in Obsidian Black. In total, there will be 36 unique coins, each with a mintage of 50 pieces, tiny, even for a five ounce silver coin.

While we’re sure there will be some hardcore collectors that will want them all, MK are acutely aware that’s a big ask in today’s climate, so they’ve produced a posh metal case that holds nine of the individual tins. Thus, you can make up a set of the nine designs, choosing whatever finish you like the best. Quite a flexible arrangement, (there are apparently over 250,000 combinations!), and it comes with a big glow-in-the-dark orb, representing the famed flaming pearl.

The designs are packed with high-relief, and mercifully free of unnecessary inscriptions on the reverse face. Each is beautifully done, and although the variance between each design isn’t huge, it does make for a very cohesive set, and probably one of the most ambitious for the Year of the Dragon in 2024. As this guide is published, there are four issues available, so 16 individual coin designs. We’ll add to the gallery shortly, and new issues will be added as they appear, which seems to be at a fairly quick pace.