Coins Today brings the world of chess into stackable silver bullion, launching a pawn-inspired design with a twist

South Korean producer, Coins Today’s ‘Stackable’ range of bullion, grows a little more with another highly unusual, and visually striking addition. There have been some terrific issues in this range, with some, like one replicating the shield of the French King, Henry II, amongst our all-time favourites. We really must get that Bullion Profile together…

This is part of their series reproducing historical shields, typified by the aforementioned Henry II offering, as well as Achilles, Doggaebi, and Archangel Michael designs. From that list, you can see a wide net was thrown over history and culture, and that remains the case for the latest issue in this loosely defined series. We’re back in the 16th century, specifically Germany, for the new stackable round, and it’s a very eclectic choice.

We’ve all seen medieval tournaments on film, including such popular examples as Game of Thrones, and they could be quite brutal affairs. The image of a man on horseback charging at another, while carrying a simple, brightly coloured shield, is a potent one. The reality, however, is considerably more elegant in many cases. Royalty and nobility often spent extravagantly on arms and armour, and much of what remains in museums today is quite breathtaking in its beauty.

Made in Augsburg around 1550, this tournament shield is one such example, replete with beautiful imagery, and practical adornments (the latticework is designed to catch the lance, for example). Some holes in the original indicate it may not have been enough, but that’s speculation for another day. Coins Today have certainly done enough. This stackable miniature reproduction, struck in two-ounces of 0.999 silver, is visually spot-on, right down to the penetrations. For its size, we don’t see how they could have done a better job for the bullion market. This series remains our favourite bullion range on the market today, and on this evidence, will continue to do so for some time to come.

TRELLISED TARGE FOR THE TILT

The original, pictured below, is in the collection of The Met, in New York. Fabricated in steel around 1550-1560 in Augsburg, Germany, it weighs 3.8 kg, and is 40.6 x 38.1 cm in size. Apparently, it isn’t on display at the time of writing.

In keeping score at tournaments, the heralds awarded extra points if a lance struck solidly enough to break. The raised trellislike bands on this tilt targe were intended to catch the lance, making it more likely to shatter. The areas within the trellis are finely etched with an inventive menagerie of real and fantastic animals, including a lion, a horse, a griffin, and an imperial double-headed eagle.

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION None
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 62.2 grams
DIMENSIONS 54.3 x 60.0 mm
FINISH Antique
MODIFICATIONS Shaped, high-relief, stackable
MINTAGE Unlimited
BOX / C.O.A. No / No