The Carpathian Mint brings the warrior queen, Boudica, and the swashbuckling D’Artagnan to numismatic life

Two new issues from the Carpathian Mint represent the start of a new series, and the continuation of an existing one. Both feature this producer’s favourite format, the two-ounce, rimless, high-relief, antiqued one popularised by the Mint of Poland. It’s a great choice, striking a good balance between affordability, and having enough metal to strike impressive designs with diameters larger than the standard 38.61 mm crown.

First of the new pair is the fourth in the Woman Warriors’ series. Queen Boudica was a Celtic queen who led an uprising against the Roman Empire in Britain in the first century AD. After her husband’s death, the Romans seized her lands, flogged her, and raped her daughters, which led her to seek revenge. Boudica rallied her people and led them in a series of successful attacks against the Roman forces, burning down several cities and killing thousands of soldiers.

Despite her initial successes, Boudica’s army was eventually defeated in a decisive battle, and she is believed to have died shortly thereafter. Nevertheless, Boudica remains a symbol of resistance and strength in the face of oppression, and her story has inspired many throughout history. Her legacy lives on as a symbol of the Celtic people’s struggle against the Roman Empire, and her memory is celebrated in modern times as a symbol of British pride and national identity.

The coin closely follows the design cues from the previous three issues, the Amazons, Valkyries, and Mulan. We’ve always been particularly partial to the signature wooden shield, which blends nicely with the antiquing. The highlight gilding this time is Boudica’s spear, and the whole scene of the warrior queen on her chariot, mixing it up with the hated Romans, is action-packed, and full of neat detailing. The common obverse returns. A fine release, and with Boudica, a very cool subject.

The second release is a new debut featuring the Three Musketeers by author Alexandre Dumas, of which there are four (don’t ask). D’Artagnan is a young Gascon man who travels to Paris with the hope of joining the Musketeers of the Guard, a group of elite soldiers who serve the king of France. Despite his initial lack of experience and connections, D’Artagnan proves himself to be a skilled swordsman and a loyal friend to his fellow Musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis.

Throughout the novel, D’Artagnan is involved in various adventures and romances, including a love affair with the beautiful Constance Bonacieux and a plot to expose Cardinal Richelieu’s treachery. He is known for his bravery, his wit, and his devotion to the Musketeers and their code of honour.

One of the most memorable scenes in the book is the moment D’Artagnan meets the Musketeers, so Carpathian Mint has made a sensible choice as the setting for the coin design. The four swords, a red one signifying the humbler roots of its wielder, and three gilded ones pointing to the unity of the Three Musketeers, is a clever touch, plus we like the cat…

The obverse is a fine design, in our view, with an expansive scene of a musketeer swearing allegiance to the French king. Three muskets, three swords, and the shield of Niue round out a packed face. A good debut, it continues this producers dive into the literary world, making a nice detour from the common mythology genre. Both coins here are boxed with a C.O.A, and are available to order now.