Prolific bullion coin producer, Scottsdale Mint, has a catalogue of different series that puts most of the competition to shame. Everything from religion, through science-fiction, to, most popularly, nature, has a presence in the range. There’s gold and silver, some coloured, or antiqued, as well as a proof selection for the collector. We know that keeping up with them all is a task in itself, so we produced one of our Bullion Mint Summaries for them, so feel free to have a look at that for a wider overview.

There are three new selections being looked at in this news post, two of which are annual additions to existing series, and one that represents an expansion of an old favourite, indeed, effectively replacing it. Stylistically, there’s something for most tastes here, with the Ghana Alien coin our favourite. All should be available to buy now. We’ll have a similar round-up of Germania Mint’s new issues in the next couple of days.

An old favourite at the Scottsdale Mint, the Cayman Islands Marlin debuted in 2017, and was released annually until 2021. It had a nice design (actually the same as the one here), but did not change annually like so many other Scottsdale Mint series, hence was often overlooked. Perhaps recognising that flaw, the mint has expanded the range for its relaunch.

Now including three designs, and sporting the name ‘Cayman Sealife’, it’s an altogether more interesting range. The marlin design returns as one of the three, but is joined by a stingray, and a loggerhead turtle. This isn’t a set, and all the designs are available to buy separately. The marlin border pattern is used on all three, but the central artwork differs, of course. They’re all first-class, in our view, especially the turtle. The common obverse is new, removing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II for the island’s coat-of-arms.

As expected, there are one-ounce silver, and one-ounce gold coins forming the backbone of the series, but gold bullion buyers on a budget will appreciate the tenth-ounce variant. With gold hitting all-time highs, this is a very welcome addition. Rounding out Cayman Sealife is a proof silver coin with a colour-highlighted reverse face, and this comes boxed with a COA.

We’re big fans of this unusual bullion series that first appeared in 2021. Issued for the African nation, Ghana, it takes a look at the infamous ‘Grays’, aliens that have captured our imagination since the Roswell crash in 1947. The design of the aliens is a little different this time around, featuring two species of them, each with a more menacing look than those on the 2021 and 2022 issues. It’s actually our favourite in this series to date.

Another big benefit to this range is the sheer number of options on offer. Stackers have one, and half ounce silver versions, and this is another Scottsdale coin with a tenth-ounce gold. Semi-numismatics are dealt with by antiqued finish, and outright collectors will have a choice of gold proof, silver proof, and silver with rhodium plating, each with colour eyes.

Rounding out the selection is a neat set, presented in a custom box, that holds four, half-ounce silver coins. The differences come with the finish, with proof, proof-like, antique, and rhodium plated making up the set. Just 1,000 sets will be minted, and this seems to be a good way to get the selection at the best price.

Also launching in 2021, although with a lower profile than the Ghana Alien coins, the Samoan Mermaid depicts the mythological half-woman, half-fish of legend, although this third design also includes a merman (is that a thing?) Mythology is always a popular theme in numismatics, and we’d expect this to be the case here.

The design of the 2023 coin is perfectly in keeping with earlier issues, so if you like those, we reckon you’ll like this one. Just a one-ounce silver format for this series, but there are bullion, antique, and colour highlighted variants, the last of which comes in the mint’s regarded ‘Certilock’ packaging.