November, 2026
Australia’s Ancient Dinosaur Killer 1oz silver coin (2026 Melbourne Coins & Collectables)
Mik Woodgate2026-11-04T12:15:24+00:00November 4th, 2026|
Australia's Ancient Dinosaur Killer 1oz silver coin (2026 Melbourne Coins & Collectables)
While the T. Rex coin we looked at yesterday had an unusual design for a coin, Melbourne Coin Company’s latest goes with an unusual subject for its appeal. The crocodilians have always been a popular subject in the coin world, hardly a surprise given how incredible these animals are, but we don’t see many that feature the prehistoric ancestors that often reached frankly ridiculous sizes. While not a behemoth of that scale, MCCs latest dips back in Australia’s past inspired by a pivotal fossil.
Dsicovered in 2010, in Queensland, Confractosuchus sauroktonos remains were the first evidence in Australia of a crocodile preying on dinosaurs. A freshwater species, this isn’t a behemoth like Deinosuchus, or Sarcosuchus, each of which approached 10 metres in length and almost 5 tons in weight. Confractosuchus topped out at under 2 metres, although fossils are very rare and incomplete at present. In its stomach were found the remains of a 1.7kg ornithopod dinosaur – chicken sized.
The coin depicts a dramatic encounter, typical of modern freshwater crocodiles, who are ambush predators. Likely our dino was having a drink, and never saw the ‘log’ steering towards itself. It’s a stylised image that captures the burst of energy that crocodiles employ so effectively. The coin is antiqued with a colour image on the reverse face.
Kudos to MCC for picking a subject like this, and for maintaining a focus on Australia. I’m constantly surprised how comparatively little is known about Australian palaeontology in comparison with other regions, so for me, this one is particularly welcome in helping to redress that a little. Available to order from yesterday, it comes boxed with a COA, and has a mintage capped at just 300 pieces, which is low for a one-ounce coin.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $2 NZD (Niue) | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 40.0 mm | Antique, Colour | 300 |
Prehistoric Titans: Tyrannosaurus Rex 2oz cast silver coin (2026 Carpathian Mint)
Mik Woodgate2026-11-03T20:39:31+00:00November 3rd, 2026|
Prehistoric Titans: Tyrannosaurus Rex 2oz cast silver coin (2026 Carpathian Mint)
If you’re going to kick off a new series of dinosaur coins, it’s a no-brainer to start with the beast of beasts. Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Cretaceous-era theropod killer, needs little introduction. Suffice to say, if you know the word dinosaur, you likely know what a T. Rex is, so here we are with the debut issue in Carpathian Mint’s latest range of cast silver coins.
This two-ounce coin does a great job of capturng the essence of T. Rex, and while it isn’t particularly anatomically correct, there’s no confusing what this is meant to be. The head looks good, and the whle thing has some excellent looking texture all over it. There’s even a wound on one leg, which is suprisingly on point, as despite their size and power, being a Cretaceous era predator was a hazardous experience. The antique finish suits it really well, helping to enhance that texture.
The coin comes in an acrylic display box, so keeping this on view in a cabinet, perhaps with a fossil collection, should be easy enough. It’s unusual, well realised, and a fun conversation starter on display. What’s not to like? Available to order now, it should ship in January, and has a mintage of 333 pieces.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| 2,000 Francs CFA (Cameroon) | 62.2 g of 0.999 silver | 75.0 x 30.5 x 34.5 mm | Antique | 333 |
October, 2026
Australia’s Christmas Beetle 30 g silver-plated coin (2027 Melbourne Coin Company)
Mik Woodgate2026-10-28T22:49:33+00:00October 28th, 2026|
Australia's Christmas Beetle 30 g silver-plated coin (2027 Melbourne Coin Company)
Native to Australia, and for once not being violent, poisonous, or venomous, the Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus) is so-named because of its increased visibility around Christmas time (they have summer weather at this time in the Southern Hemisphere). They’re part of the wider Scarab family, and grow to a large 20-30 mm in length, some species exhibiting irridescent colouration. They eat eucalyptus, meaning they’re probably not getting Christmas presents from Koala’s!
Melbourne Coins latest is another welcome release for the affordable end of the market, being a 30 gram copper coin that is silver-plated, antiqued, and impressively coloured. Indeed, you’d be hard pushed to note this is a $40 AUD coin at all. The first in a three-coin series to include the Botany Bay Diamond Weevil, and the gorgeous Peacock Spider, it’s a fine depiction with a neat irridescent colouring, and will be instantly recognisable to Aussies who heard it scrambling about and were relieved to not see a Sydney Funnel-Web Spider. . .
The packaging isn’t compromised either, with an attractively themed blistercard holding the coin, on the back of which is the serialised Certificate of Authenticity, marking which of the 999 struck you have. We have a lot of time for coins like this, offering uncompromised production value at affordable prices, helping to attract the next generation of collectors. Available to pre-order now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $1 NZD (Niue) | 30.0 g of copper | 40.0 mm | Silver plated, Antique, Colour | 999 |
Legendary Warriors 15: Attila the Hun 2oz silver coin (2026 T&S Coin)
Mik Woodgate2026-10-28T16:14:26+00:00October 28th, 2026|
Legendary Warriors 15: Attila the Hun 2oz silver coin (2026 T&S Coin)
Launching in 2023 as a collaboration with Pinehurst Coins, Legendary Warriors from T&S Coins is a series of fifteen two-ounce silver coins depicting some of histories greatest warriors. Encompassing people from the ancient world through to the 19th century, and across several continents, they’re consistently themed with antiquing and gilding, with all exhibiting a high quality of design.
Attila the Hun is not only the latest coin to be issued, but also the fifteenth and final one, concluding the series. The bane of Rome is depicted on horseback drawing a bow. As you’d expect from T&S, details abound, from the severed heads under the horse, to the gilded armour and weapons of Attila himself. The obverse remains one common to the series, and is in itself a fine design that suits the subject perfectly.
The coins can be purchased in two ways. The standard way is boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity, looking like any other of this producer’s releases. Secondly, a limited number will be available in NGC MS70 graded form, and those come sealed in the NGC slab. I’m not a fan of grading this type of coin, but the choice is there if you do. We’ve added Attila to our full Coin Series Profile of the Legendary Warriors series, so please take a look if the series piques your interest, and see the full range and background of the subjects. Available to pre-order now. Pinehurst Coins also have a1oz bullion version for sale.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $5 NZD (Niue) | 62.2 g of 0.999 silver | 45.0 mm | Antique, Gilding | 500 |
100th Anniversary of the Showa Period 1oz silver coin (2026 Japan Mint)
Mik Woodgate2026-10-08T15:36:58+01:00October 8th, 2026|
100th Anniversary of the Showa Period 1oz silver coin (2026 Japan Mint)
Japan is different from other countries in the way that it categorises its past. It defines periods in its history with names, and since 1868, has done so when the Emperor of Japan takes the throne. There have been five such periods since the 1868 Meiji Period commenced, with the current Reiwa period starting in 2019 with the ascension of Emperor Naruhito. It’s noted on the obverse of Japanese coins, as you can see below. You can see the number 8 under the denomination on the obverse, along with some Japanese characters. That means the 8th year of Reiwa.
The longest of the modern ‘Gengo’ eras was the Showa Period, starting in 1926 when Hirohito became emperor, ending with his death in 1989. The Japanese celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Showa Period this year, and Japan Mint has issued a one-ounce silver coin to mark it. Showa encompassed a period of huge change for Japan, with its early years fueled by modernisation, and then expansion, leading to their entry into WW2 and subsequent defeat. This was followed by intense pacifist economic transformation, and Japan grew into the modern powerhouse it is today.
The coin depicts some of that, with the iconic Shinkansen bullet train, the Tokyo Tower, modern expressways, and some people dressed in clothing of the time. The restrained colour pallete looks beautifully period in style, and overall, it’s a neat encapsulation of the period, if glossing over the less savoury parts completely. The obverse has the traditional Japanese icons of Mt. Fuji nad cherry blossoms. The coin will come boxed with a COA, and is available to pre-order now, with shipping at the end of the year.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| 1,000 Yen (Japan) | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 40.0 mm | Proof, Colour | 40,000 |
September, 2026
Halloween Vampire PEZ 6 x 5 gram silver bar set (2026 MTB-PAMP)
Mik Woodgate2026-09-30T13:45:20+01:00September 30th, 2026|
Halloween Vampire PEZ 6 x 5 gram silver bar set (2026 MTB-PAMP)
Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, a part of the Swiss MKS-PAMP group, have just added a new pack to their unique PEZ silver bullion bar series. With the original candy bars and their themed plastic dispensers generating a big worldwide collector market, coming in literally hundreds of different designs since they first appeared in 1949, it was a clever move to take advantage of the collecibility of it all. The PAMP sets have their own dispenser designs, and replacing the candy is a capsule filled with six silver bars, which are exactly the same format as the original candy.
With a heavy emphasis on events and holidays, it’s no surprise that this 14th release in the range has been perfectly timed for the upcoming Halloween with this vampire design. The look is classic Hammer Horror Count Dracula, rather than any of the darker modern interpretations, and that makes sense given the light-hearted nature of the series. The silver bars have their own unique little vampire privy on them. As always, these have some excellent, heavily themed packaging, making it a perfect gift. Available to order now, and you can also read about all the previous issues in one of our comprehensive Coin Series Profiles to the range.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 6 x 5.0 g of 0.9999 silver | 15.0 x 8.0 mm | Reverse proof | 2,500 |
The Gangsters: Lucky Luciano One Kilo edition silver coin (2026 PiK Coins)
Mik Woodgate2026-09-22T07:56:38+01:00September 22nd, 2026|
The Gangsters: Lucky Luciano One Kilo edition silver coin (2026 PiK Coins)
With True Crime remaining of huge interest today, especially with the plethora of documentaries and dramas on television, it was of little surprise that Pik Coin’s four-issue series of two-ounce silver coins was a sell-out. Indeed, they were popular enough for this producer to start reissuing the originals in a one-kilogram format, which shows a lot of confidence in the designs given the elevated price of silver.
The four coin series was called ‘The Gangsters’, and featured prominent figures from the age of prohibition in the United States. Al Capone was the first, followed by Bonnie & Clyde, John Dillinger, and finally, Lucky Luciano. You can read all about them in their respective articles. The bigger variants are actually starting with the last of the two-ounce coins to be released, Lucky Luciano.
The design is fundamentally unchanged, with just the date and denomination being different. That great-looking common obverse is back, as is the impressive high-relief. The combination of antiquing and gilding continues to be an effective one, and overall, if you have the budget for a kilo silver coin, this seems like a fine choice. Just 99 will be struck.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $80 NZD (Niue) | 1,000.0 g of 0.999 silver | 100.0 mm | Antique, Gilding | 99 |
Aquarelle & Goddess Zodiac 12 x 1oz silver coins (2026 Pop Coins)
Mik Woodgate2026-09-22T17:52:05+01:00September 22nd, 2026|
Aquarelle & Goddess Zodiac 12 x 1oz silver coins (2026 Pop Coins)
Pop Coins, a producer linked to Dutch producer, and site favourite, Numiscollect, have just issued the final six coins in their Zodiac Aquarelle series, and the final six in the Zodiac Goddesses series. Both are a series of twelve one-ounce silver coins released earlier this year, and both, as the name suggests, are thematic takes on the Zodiac symbols. They join the Space Zodiac, and Anime Zodiac series from 2025, so we now have 48 different issues.
The first range are done in the Aquarelle style, a French term for watercolour painting. It’s an unusual style, but a very attractive one, full of pastel colours, and harking back to the Art Deco period, perhaps. By contrast, the Goddesses series is very much ‘in your face’ with scantily clad, AI-generated images of women, each representing a symbol.
Both series have the common obverse introduced on the 2025 coins, and are similarly packaged in a themed box with a certificate of authenticity. One difference between these two series is the mintage. Like the 2025 ranges, Aquarelle has a mintage of just 99 pieces per design. The Goddesses range hits 199, which despite the increase, is still low for the type. All are available to pre-order now. I’ve added these to our very comprehensive Coin Series Profile, where you can see all the Zodiac ranges, along with the many others issued over the last couple of years.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| 5 CEDIS (Ghana) | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 40.0 mm | Proof, Colour | 99 or 199 |
Paper Airplane Gilded Special Edition 2oz silver coin (2026 Powercoin)
Mik Woodgate2026-09-22T12:56:40+01:00September 22nd, 2026|
Paper Airplane Gilded Special Edition 2oz silver coin (2026 Powercoin)
Launched in April 2025, Folded Dreams is one of the most original coin series of recent years, taking the ancient paper folding art of Origami, and turning it into a series of dimensional coins. The first design was shaped just like a classic paper airplane, and that was followed by a paper boat, and then a paper frog.
As Powercoin do with some of their other series, they’ve released a limited special edition variant, and this time the change is a movement from an antique finish, to a fully gilded one. In all other regards, it’s exactly the same as the original, and as that seems to be carrying a bit of an aftermarket premium, that’s probably a good thing for fans of the original that missed out.
It remains a fine, original design, and should appeal to the coin collector who likes something a little left field in their collections. The gilded coin is rarer, with just 199 examples being minted, compared to 499 antiqued coins. Available to order now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $2 NZD (Niue) | 62.2 g of 0.999 silver | 15.0 x 54.0 x 90.0 mm | Gilded | 199 |
25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks 2oz silver coin (2026 Tower Mint)
Mik Woodgate2026-09-15T18:44:42+01:00September 15th, 2026|
25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks 2oz silver coin (2026 Tower Mint)
Last Friday saw the 25th anniversary of the Al Qaeda attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. The mainland United States hadn’t experienced this level of casualties in a single event, almost 3,000 people, since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and the fact it was a terrorist attack shook the nation to its core. The repercussions from the resulting response are still being felt today, and 9/11 remains ingrained in the American psyche. As they always do, the US rebuilt, and remains unbowed, but events as extreme and unexpected as this are not forgotten.
Obviously the numismatic world was going to offer its own remembrance, and one of the finest comes from Tower Mint, a London-based mint founded by Raphael Maklouf, well known in the coin world for his 1980s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Issued for Gibraltar, this new two-ounce silver coin is a fine tribute to the First Responders, who saved so many lives on the day, and in many cases, gave up their own in the efforts.
A firefighters helmet, gilded and antiqued, is the focus here, with a remembrance on the badge, and the number ‘343’, representing the number of responders that died, inscribed on its left. It’s surrounded by imagery from the day, with the original towers and NY skyline reflected in the visor, and a scene of the devastation, including the infamous ‘spire of girders’, in the background. A flag, and some inspiring inscriptions lay in the foreground rubble. An impressive, sympathetic work. The obverse features the pre-event NY skyline with the ‘NEVER FORGET’ inscription.
Along with this silver coin, there are gold variants, although we don’t have full information. There are five-ounce, and one-kilo gold versions, with only one of the latter being struck. There are others, and we’ll try to clarify, but they aren’t for sale on the mints estore. The coin come boxed with a COA, and can be pre-ordered now for delivery from mid-October.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| £5 UKP (Gibraltar) | 62.2 g of 0.999 silver | 45.0 mm | Proof, Gilding, Antiquing | 911 |
400 Years of the Marine Nationale 13g 0.333 silver coin (2026 Monnaie de Paris)
Mik Woodgate2026-09-10T15:12:45+01:00September 10th, 2026|
400 Years of the Marine Nationale 13g 0.333 silver coin (2026 Monnaie de Paris)
Formally created by Cardinal Richelieu in 1626, the Marine Nationale (French Navy) has spent the last 400 years defending the interests of France, sometimes successfully, as it did during the American War of Independence, and sometimes not so well, as shortly after during the Napoleonic Wars with the Royal Navy.
The Second World War did not give the French navy much chance to do anything, as it was primarily a land war at that stage, although their is little doubt they could have handled the German Kreigsmarine comfortably. After the war, the Marine Nationale started a modernisation that has led to todays force being one of the world’s few true blue-water navies, able to project power globally, including the use of nuclear propulsion and arms.
The coin is only 13 grams of 33.3% silver, but that keeps the price down to a very affordable 13 Euros. Despite that, it has the traditional French obverse, and a design that has no noticeable compromises over its pricier counterparts. The design centres around a sailor (wearing the traditional ‘bâchi’ hat) observing the modern French Navy, including a Triomphant-class nuclear submarine, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, and the newly commissioned Amiral Ronarc’h frigate in the centre. We like it, and it looks well presented in a gatefold pack, especially for the price. Available to order now, they will ship 16th September.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| 10 EURO (France) | 13.0 g of 0.333 silver | 31.0 mm | BU, Colour | 15,000 |
Monster Collection Series III 1oz coloured silver bars (2026 Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2026-09-08T11:06:08+01:00September 8th, 2026|
Monster Collection Series III 1oz coloured silver bars (2026 Scottsdale Mint)
Scottsdale Mint’s expansive coloured bullion bar range continues to grow, and the latest is the third annual Monster Collection, released for the Halloween period. We consider this the best of the bars, noted for their consistently high quality artwork, and the 2026 selection of six bars is no exception to that.
Each of the bars tips the scales at a troy ounce, and they’re sold individually, not as a set. Like the red-themed 2024 range, and the orange-themed 2025 selection, there’s a consistent colour this year, wich neatly ties them together as a collection. Each of them is supplied encapsulated, and the mintage is capped at just 499 pieces of each design. The serial number is inscribed in that silver rectangle at the bottom of the front of the bar.
They’re available to order now. We’ve added them to our massive guide to Scottsdale Mint’s coloured silver bars, where you can see the previous Monster Collections, and the scores of other designs. The Christmas bars have just been announced, so we’ll add those shortly.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 50.0 x 29.2 mm | BU | 499 |
In Silver We Trust Capsuled 3g minted silver bar (2026 Mint of MK)
Mik Woodgate2026-09-08T00:33:51+01:00September 8th, 2026|
In Silver We Trust Capsuled 3g minted silver bar (2026 Mint of MK)
We don’t normally cover simple minted bars here, preferrring to concentrate on releases that carry some artistry, but this new one from Mint of MK seems a bit of fun, that might make a good gift for the new or younger collector in particular. The bar is neat enough, weighing just three grams, with the American Metal Stackers logo on the front, and the serial number (of 10,000) engraved on the side, but it’s the packaging that makes this unusual.
Much like you would get in an arcade claw machine, or a fancy bubblegum dispenser, the bar comes in a two-piece plastic sphere, one half of which is coloured, with the lid being transparent. There appears to be five different colour capsules, which we assume will be randomly chosen when you purchase. The bar sits within, bagged, and with a small certificate of authenticity. As I said, not our usual subject, but a cool little gifting piece.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 3.0 g of 0.999 silver | 43.0 x 20.0 mm | BU | 10,000 |
August, 2026
Fors Fortuna gold and silver minted bar range (2026 Le Grand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2026-08-11T16:22:49+01:00August 11th, 2026|
Fors Fortuna gold and silver minted bar range (2026 Le Grand Mint)
After a fine debut last March, Le Grand Mint have launched the second of their Fors Fortuna bars with a new design by the same talented Italian artist, Carmen Testa. It features the Roman goddess of fortune, and the personification of luck, a popular deity in the civilisation centred around the modern Italian capital over 2,000 years ago. She was worshipped in a sacellum (a small, open-roof shrine) on the right bank of the Tiber river. She differed from other personifications of wealth, in not striving for balance, but rather representing the capriciousness of life.
The first bar depicted her naked, and traditionally blindfolded, while sitting on the coat-of-arms of Le Grand Mint, rather than the wheel, or ship’s rudder normally present. Coins tumbled from her hand, and the background was a repeating pattern forming LGM’s initials. This second bar keeps all of those elements, differing in the pose of the goddess, where she is standing with her back to us. The back of the bar carries over.
An attractive interpretation of good fortune, there are gold and silver bars available. Gold comes in 0.5g (999 mintage), and 1.0g (999), sizes, with no sign at present of the 20g bar. Silver is unchanged with 1oz (5,000), and 2oz (2,500) variants. We like this one a lot, combining a sensible choice of weights, with great-looking artwork. Available to order now, they come in blisterpacks with a COA.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 31.1 g of 0.9999 silver | mm | BU | 5,000 |
| Undenominated | 62.2 g of 0.9999 silver | mm | BU | 2,500 |
| Undenominated | 0.5 g of 0.9999 gold | mm | BU | 999 |
| Undenominated | 1.0 g of 0.9999 gold | mm | BU | 999 |
The Divine Comedy Inferno 9 gram silver medal (2026 Hobo Coin)
Mik Woodgate2026-08-10T13:25:46+01:00August 10th, 2026|
The Divine Comedy Inferno 9 gram silver medal (2026 Hobo Coin)
An Italian poet (1265-1321), Dante is widely lauded for his three part ‘Divine Comedy’ which is not only considered the greatest literary work in the Italian language, but also one of the most important of the Middle Ages. He eschewed the traditional use of Latin so that more people would have access to his writing, helping to set the local Tuscan dialect on its path to becoming the modern Italian language.
Inferno is the first part of Divine Comedy, followed by Purgatorio and Paradiso. It tells of the journey of Dante through Hell, guided by the ancient Roman poet Virgil. In the poem, Hell is depicted as nine concentric circles of torment located within the Earth; it is the “realm … of those who have rejected spiritual values by yielding to bestial appetites or violence, or by perverting their human intellect to fraud or malice against their fellowmen”. As an allegory, the Divine Comedy represents the journey of the soul toward God, with the Inferno describing the recognition and rejection of sin.
Inferno has been seen on modern numismatics several times before, including some quite sublime releases, but what Hobo Coin has here is a brilliant design, that incredibly is struck in just nine grams of fine silver. The reverse depicts Dante and Virgil gazing down on the circles of hell as they start their journey. The obverse depicts the pair witnessing the ferryman carrying souls across the river. Set on the Sixth Circle of Hell, the City of Dis sits ablaze in the background.
Both sides are gorgeous, even more so considering ther size and undenominated nature. They come with a COA. We’re very pleased that this level of design and execution is being targeted at the affordable end of the market, with no visual compromises over a simlar one-ounce coin. Hobo Coins are to be commended for their focus on the budget end of the market with their super range of copper, and now silver coins and medals. Available to order now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 9.0 g of 0.999 silver | 25.0 mm | BU | 999 |