August, 2022
Moments of Love Kama Sutra IV (2022 Mint XXI)
Mik Woodgate2022-08-17T15:47:00+01:00August 17th, 2022|
Moments of Love Kama Sutra IV (2022 Mint XXI)
Mint XXI’s latest Moments of Love Kama Sutra coin is here and is the fourth in this series. A three-ounce silver coin, with rich colour, selective gilding, and antique finishing, they depict the different positions featured in the ancient Indian book of love.
Rather than try to depict the many good pictures of the coin here, we’ve produced one of our Coin Series Profiles to the range, showing all four coins to date, and you can see it here. Another quality release from Mint XXI.
Mysteries of the World: Tutankhamun Mask 2oz silver coin (2022 World Coin Appreciation)
Mik Woodgate2022-08-15T20:46:38+01:00August 15th, 2022|
Mysteries of the World: Tutankhamun Mask 2oz silver coin (2022 World Coin Appreciation)
Last year, World Coin Appreciation debuted the first in its new series with the title, ‘Mysteries of the World Latitude 30 North’. It’s unusually specific, and clever, showcasing some of the great ancient cultures that have existed along, or near, the 30th Parallel North. There are quite a few, and the first issue was a very striking mask from China’s Shu culture, discovered around Sanxingdui , and dating back 3,000 years. We loved it for its design, one perfectly aligned with the original artifacts, and for the choice of subject, completely unheard of in modern numismatics.
The 2022 coin is of a similar ilk, struck using two ounces of fine silver, antique finished, and with some gilding. It also depicts a mask, and given 2022 is the centennial anniversary of Howard Carter’s opening of the tomb of Tutankhamun, the boy king’s mask was a natural choice. Now, this isn’t the first coin that’s taken this approach, with some big guns like MDM and Numiscollect already having coins out, but even so, this one holds up very well indeed, and the hieroglyphic-like scenes along the bottom are a particularly nice touch.
The obverse is also well done, with a cropped section of the 30th Parallel map on it, carrying small icons for the Egyptian pyramids, and what we think is one of the Mesopotamian civilisation (a later subject, perhaps). The coin looks well presented in a windowed box. The coin is 37 x 60 mm in size, and has a mintage of only 333 pieces. We have a video of it up on our channel, so be sure to check that out.
Colourful Birds: Cedar Waxwing 1 oz silver coin (2022 Royal Canadian Mint)
Mik Woodgate2022-08-15T11:28:45+01:00August 15th, 2022|
Colourful Birds: Cedar Waxwing 1 oz silver coin (2022 Royal Canadian Mint)
One of the better, and more prolific issuers of nature coins, the Royal Canadian Mint has just issued the second of its ‘Colourful Birds’ coins, following the 2021 debut of the first, the Blue Jay (image below). The latter has appeared on a Canadian coin before, as part of the 2015 ‘Songbirds of Canada’ series, but the 2022 subject, the Cedar Waxwing, we believe to be a coin virgin, at the RCM, at least.
We have to say, this is a pretty coin, exhibiting great realism in the depiction, with a good use of vibrant colour, appropriate given the subject. The foreground ‘pops’ and the background field is nicely detailed. It’s a simple coloured one-ounce silver coin, with decent packaging and a 7,500 mintage. A popular format in the modern coin world, especially with the more conservative national mints. Available now.
ET The Extra Terrestrial shaped coin (2022 The Coin Company)
Mik Woodgate2022-08-15T11:21:28+01:00August 15th, 2022|
ET The Extra Terrestrial shaped coin (2022 The Coin Company)
A new addition to the increasingly popular shaped coin market is, rather unsurprisingly, sporting a pop-culture design. Continuing the 40th anniversary celebrations of Steven Spielberg’s massive hit, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Australian producer The Coin Company, has today released a two-ounce coloured coin, featuring the head of the title character.
Unlike many of these coins, this one seems to be in possession of a decent level of high relief, and from these images, it certainly looks to lift the coin above the ordinary. If you like ET, and want a coin to mark the anniversary, we can’t think of a better one that’s been released to date. The presentation looks good, and only 600 will be minted. Available now.
LINKS: THE COIN COMPANY
Little Girl With a Pearl Earring silver coin (2022 Precious Metal Collectors)
Mik Woodgate2022-08-12T21:54:49+01:00August 12th, 2022|
Little Girl With a Pearl Earring silver coin (2022 Precious Metal Collectors)
The Super-Deformed style of big-headed Japanese art continues to work its magic on the numismatic world, and in ever more inventive ways. We all know the New Zealand Mint’s ‘Chibi’ series is the 800-lb gorilla in the room, but others are also taking the style and running with it. LPM have their Street Fighter character coins, the Crown Mint has Marvel Mini Heroes, The Coin Company has Back to the Future, and so on, but almost all of them remain a variation on the popular culture media theme.
The concept is spreading. The NZ Mint has just started a Mount Rushmore Presidents subset, and Precious Metal Collectors recently added a Sun Wukong Monkey King character from Chinese mythology, but PMC’s latest is, in our opinion at least, a brilliant idea for this increasingly popular coin style. The idea is a simple one – take the subjects of some of the world’s most iconic works of art, and reimagine them in the Super-Deformed style.
The first is Vermeer’s much-loved ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, a painting that has long transcended the art world into becoming a cultural icon. The transition from European Renaissance painting to the Japanese large-eyed, big-headed SD style is superb. It’s instantly recognisable as Vermeer’s subject, but also very different. It’s a 10-gram silver coin of 26 x 35 mm dimensions, and in true PMC style, is attractively presented. Yes, the coin is gimmicky, but we don’t care, we love the idea, and the uniqueness of the implementation in the huge art-coin genre. Can’t wait to see Mona Lisa, Salvatore Mundi, or Lady with Ermine, for example. The mintage is 2,023 pieces, and it’s available to order now.
Australian Brumby Horse 2 oz silver proof coin (2022 Perth Mint / LPM)
Mik Woodgate2022-08-04T02:18:07+01:00August 4th, 2022|
Australian Brumby Horse 2 oz silver proof coin (2022 Perth Mint / LPM)
The Perth Mint produced, LPM exclusive silver coin series featuring the Australian Brumby horse, is back for a third release. The main attraction will be the popular bullion coin, of course, but we’ll cover that in our bullion round-up on Friday (I’d hoped to have it out yesterday, but one of the coins is still under embargo). Here we have the prettier numismatic version – a two-ounce proof.
The design of the 2022 coin is top-notch, in our view, with a very dynamic and rarely seen pose for the horse, which is firmly rooted in a grass covered ground, not floating in mid-coin. The mint is calling it the ‘Spirited Horse’, which is apt enough. These images aren’t the best, unfortunately, but it’s obviously a nice piece by artist Jennifer McKenna. Indeed, we like this series as a whole, and it’s been a good spiritual successor to the earlier Australian Stock Horse series.
Being a proof coin, it comes in the mint’s very nice acrylic-lidded display boxes, and a themed shipper, along with a Certificate of Authenticity. Much rarer than the bullion variant, of course, the mintage is capped at 1,000 pieces, and it’s available from LPM, and stockists around the world.
LINKS:
The Jungle Book 03 – Shere Khan silver coin (2022 Czech Mint)
Mik Woodgate2022-08-03T10:15:08+01:00August 3rd, 2022|
The Jungle Book 03 - Shere Khan silver coin (2022 Czech Mint)
We were pleasantly surprised by the first of the Czech Mint’s ‘Jungle Book’ coins that we covered back in March. It had an interesting and attractive style, undertaken by one of the mint’s stalwart artists, Asamat Baltaev, one we have a high regard for here. Based on the classic Rudyard Kipling book, and not the sanitised Disney film, this is a four-coin set, being released over a single calendar year. As well as the Mowgli coin, the mint has already released one depicting Baloo & Bagheera, which you can see further down.
The third of the four, and the one we’re looking at here, is the ever-popular baddie of the story, the tiger, Shere Khan. Again, we love the depiction, done in that same angular style that made the first issue so striking. We’ve been impressed at how Baltaev has been able to impart something different on the much-loved tale, without compromising it. The obverse is also well done, although common to the series, so not unique to Shere Khan,
The coin is struck in an ounce of 0.999 fine silver, with a diameter of 37 mm, to a mintage limit of 1,500 pieces. Presentation is nice, we do like the mints new boxes, and there’s an optional, themed collector’s tin to hold all four issues, for a relatively cheap 12 Euros. The last coin of the series will ship in September, but this one, and the two previous coins, are available now. A terrific series.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS First coin in series
July, 2022
Biblical Series 44: The Dead Christ (2022 Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2022-07-30T13:22:59+01:00July 30th, 2022|
Biblical Series 44: The Dead Christ (2022 Scottsdale Mint)
The second of six Biblical Series coins is here, and it’s titled ‘The Dead Christ’ This is the 44th coin in the 60-coin series, launched at the rate of 6 per year. We’re sure that after 44 coins you know everything you need to, but if you want to know more, and be able to see the whole range to date, check out our full Coin Series Profile.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS COIN SERIES PROFILE
World Famous Dogs – French Bulldog gold bullion coin (2022 Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung)
Mik Woodgate2022-07-28T21:02:51+01:00July 28th, 2022|
World Famous Dogs - French Bulldog gold bullion coin (2022 Leipziger Edelmetallverarbeitung)
No stranger to the modern coin world, man’s best friend has now put in an appearance on a new 10-coin gold bullion series from German mint, Leipziger Edelmetall. A one ounce coin in 0.9999 gold, and with a 1,000 mintage, ‘World Famous Dogs’ will showcase iconic breeds from various countries around the globe. This is the first, and they will be issued at the rate of two-per-year for the next five years.
France is where the series starts its journey, and the French Bulldog is the mutt of choice. A small, playful dog, popular in cities, they have the small, muscular body you’d expect from a bulldog, but the large, erect ears are a giveaway. They have an easygoing nature, get on well with other animals and people, and are relatively quiet. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular.
The coin has a very good depiction of the dog, sitting in an open area, and seemingly very alert. The border carries the inscribed series title, coin title, and composition, along with a paw print. Certainly one of the better dog designs in recent times, especially for a bullion coin. Supplied encapsulated, the coin is available now.
Pirates of the Caribbean – Silent Mary bullion coin (2022 New Zealand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2022-07-28T12:50:21+01:00July 28th, 2022|
Pirates of the Caribbean - Silent Mary bullion coin (2022 New Zealand Mint)
One of the New Zealand Mint’s numerous popular culture themed bullion coins, Pirates of the Caribbean, has just debuted its fifth and final release. It’s called ‘Silent Mary’ and features the Spanish Royal Navy galleon from the fifth movie in the franchise, ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’. Captained by Armando Salazar, she was a feared pirate hunter, but was lost in the Devil’s Triangle, only to return crewed by ghostly sailors out for revenge.
The style of the coin is very similar to the four previous issues, with a stylised image of the captain in the right foreground, and a silhouette of the ship in the background to the left. A decent coin, although the series isn’t one of our favourites. To be fair, it’s one we’ve yet to see in hand, and the official images are a bit flat and bland. We’ve been surprised by how much nicer some coins are in reality, like the NZ Mint’s early Classic Star Wars coins, which are exceptional compared to the launch renders.
The obverse is just the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the issue inscriptions. No changes to the range on offer, which consists of a pair of one-ounce bullion coins, one in 0.999 silver, the other in 0.9999 gold. The former has a mintage of 15,000 pieces, while the latter has just 250. Available now.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS first coin in the series
Mini Money Kookaburra 0.5 gram gold coin (2022 Royal Australian Mint}
Mik Woodgate2022-07-18T23:35:03+01:00July 18th, 2022|
Mini Money Kookaburra 0.5 gram gold coin (2022 Royal Australian Mint)
One of the few producers occasionally issuing half-gram ‘minigold’ coins, the Royal Australian Mint started a new series in 2021, called Mini Money, launching with a neat Koala design. It’s back for 2022, continuing the series theme of iconic Australian animals, with the Kookaburra. Admittedly, this is a rendered image, but that does look very good. How well it translates to the 11.15 mm disc of gold, remains to be seen, but we’re constantly impressed by just how much detail these small coins can hold, as anyone that has seen a CIT minigold from the last few years will surely attest.
Struck in the mints frosted-uncirculated finish, it’s presented in a plastic slab, much like those used by the big grading agencies – NGC, for example. These are quite neat, although the little coin does look a bit lost in the sea of blue background. Perhaps some habitat art would improve things. A mintage of 5,000 pieces is on the lower side for minigold coins. An attractive release for this popular format. Available now for $90.00 AUD
LINKS: ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT
Lost Civilisations – Babylon five-ounce silver variant (2022 Numiscollect)
Mik Woodgate2022-07-18T12:28:25+01:00July 18th, 2022|
Lost Civilisations - Babylon five-ounce silver variant (2022 Numiscollect)
We were suitably impressed by the debut coin in Numiscollect’s new series, ‘Lost Civilisations’ late last year, and it’s easy to see why from these images. However, while identical in design, what you’re looking at here is not that coin, but a new five-ounce version. Indeed, the only visible difference is the 2022 date, and the $20 denomination.
We said on our first reporting, that we really like this one, especially that gorgeous obverse with the warrior and his horse. Employing Enhanced Smartminting, we’d expect this to have a bit more relief, although that’s hard to tell from these images. Boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity, just 149 of these will be struck. We haven’t talk about the design much here, because we did so extensively in our article on the 2 oz coin, so head on over there for the Full Monty. Hopefully, if this one is successful, we’ll see a bigger issue of the second coin in this series, ‘Phoenicia and Carthage’.
In Unity Strength silver coin (2022 National Bank of Ukraine)
Mik Woodgate2022-07-18T07:45:52+01:00July 18th, 2022|
In Unity Strength silver coin (2022 National Bank of Ukraine)
With the terrible war unfolding in Ukraine, it’s of little surprise that the mint has not been in a position to continue their commemorative coin program, but some six months after their last release, they’re back. Current events are obviously in the forefront of the National Bank of Ukraine’s mind, and it adorns this new release. It’s an ounce of 0.999 silver, with a 38.61 mm diameter, and a 5,000 mintage. A timely piece, highlighting some of the nations aiding the fight to keep Ukraine free. It may be hard to track this one down, so we’d suggest keeping an eye on eBay, perhaps. The description below are the mints own word.
“This coin celebrates the national unity of Ukrainians in their fight against Russian aggression, and the international support that the entire world is giving Ukraine, bringing joint victory closer. The desire for freedom is a fundamental value of the Ukrainian people. For many centuries, Ukrainians have fought to protect their freedom and territorial integrity… After Russia unleashed its treacherous invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the people of Ukraine repelled it in a decisive counteroffensive that thwarted the aggressor’s advance and assured the continued free development of the countries and peoples of Europe. Understanding that, the entire free world sided with Ukraine, providing it with humanitarian, economic, security and military aid.
Obverse: against a smooth background is Ukraine’s small coat of arms (in the centre), around which is a stylized composition symbolizing the unity of people of goodwill around the world – a circle of hands that are joined in pairs and surrounded by a blue and yellow ribbon (pad-printed); above is the semicircular legend УКРАЇНА (Ukraine); to the left is the coin’s issue year – 2022; beneath is the coin’s face value – 10 ГРИВЕНЬ (10 hryvnias) (semicircular).
Reverse: above, against a smooth background, is the following semicircular legend: В ЄДНОСТІ – СИЛА/IN UNITY STRENGTH written in Ukrainian and English; under the legend is a stylized composition of coloured flags (pad-printed) of the countries that are providing Ukraine with comprehensive aid: the United States, the UK, Poland, Canada, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Japan.”
LINKS: NATIONAL BANK OF UKRAINE
Fierce Nature – Lion 2oz silver coin (2022 New Zealand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2022-07-11T13:54:16+01:00July 11th, 2022|
Fierce Nature - Lion 2oz silver coin (2022 New Zealand Mint)
We cover quite a bit of the New Zealand Mint’s copious output here, with their many popular culture franchises drawing in new collectors from the massive movie memorabilia market, but go back eight years, and their line-up was quite different. There were nature, literature, and history coins galore, but apart from the occasional series, like the recent ‘Dinosaurs’, the mint has almost completely moved into the media market.
Fortunately, there are new issues, and the latest brings the mints new-found dalliance with shaped coins to the nature genre. Called ‘Fierce Nature’, this series is clearly going to be themed around apex predators, and what better way to start than the fabled King of the Beasts, the Lion. Shaped, and struck in high-relief, the coin depicts a roaring male lion, and there’s plenty of detail, and a good-looking antique-finish.
Two ounces of 0.999 silver, and up to 40 mm in size, the coin has a mintage of 2,000 units, and comes presented in an extremely neat windowed box, something this producer has always done very well. A nice coin, with shades of AllCollect’s far more expensive Mauquoy ‘Big Five’ issues. Available now, it has a retail price of $199.00 USD.
LINKS: NZ Mint eStore
Bee and Buck 1 oz gilded silver coin (2022 World Coin Appreciation)
Mik Woodgate2022-07-07T23:56:47+01:00July 7th, 2022|
Bee and Buck 1 oz gilded silver coin (2022 World Coin Appreciation)
Situated about 40 km south of the Turkish city of Izmir, Ephesus was an Ancient Greek city state, built from the 10th century BC by Greek colonists. One of the twelve cities that formed the Classic Greek Ionian League, Ephesus was particularly famous from the late 6th century BC, because of its impressive Temple of Artemis, now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and a theatre believed to be the biggest in antiquity, and capable of holding 25,000 people. It was the biggest city in the Roman Empire after Rome itself
Artemis was the Greek goddess of hunting, childbirth, and nature, particularly wild animals. The Ephesian Artemis had the bee as her symbol, and it was incorporated into the shields of their hoplites (infantry), and prominently on the cities coins. Called the Bee and Buck Tetradrachm, there are almost 1,000 subtle variations of this coin from the region. The reverse face depicts a bee (the incarnation of Artemis), often in quite startling detail, while the obverse features a date palm (Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis under palm trees on the island of Delos), and a stag (the charioteer of Artemis), either in full or half body form.
World Coin Appreciation have just issued what is essentially a replica of one of them, based on an actual coin (we’ve seen the original, but the image owner can’t be traced, so it may be copyrighted), although likely a bit larger, and gilded. The coin is 15 grams in weight, and 28 mm in diameter. It’s issued for Palau, so obviously there are a few inscribed additions on the obverse, but in general, this is a very satisfying replica of what is clearly a stunning numismatic. Just 500 will be struck.
