The fighting warriors of Ukraine, past and present, are celebrated in high-relief silver with ‘Battle Hardened’

On February 24th 2022, The Russian Federation invaded Ukraine. Expected to last just 3 days, apparently, the war (not a ‘Special Military Operation’), has turned into a spectacular failure for Russia. The price they have, are, and will continue to pay for this war, is quite staggering. Previously neutral countries have joined NATO, the economy has been crippled, their reputation destroyed, the armed forces humiliated, and much more.

The reason for this is simple. Ukraine’s military has fought an incredible defensive, and offensive campaign. The West has provided much in the way of weapons, of course, but all that would be for naught if the spirit of the men and women using them was not up to the task. We all know that losses have been high, but still they fight, and Mint XXI’s latest coin in honour of the Ukrainians, is their best yet.

Called simply ‘Ukraine’s Battle-hardened’, it is a celebration of the martial spirit of the Ukrainian fighter, linking the warriors of today, with those of their past. The coin depicts a modern soldier at the top, possibly a Special Forces one, framed to his right by three other soldiers, and to his left by a selection of military hardware, behind which is a coloured Ukrainian flag. If you rotate the coin 180 degrees, the kevlar-clad soldier is replaced by a 16th century Cossack, playing a kind of lute called a Kobza. Again, to his right, is a scene of other soldiers, and to his left, a mix of old firearms, and bladed weapons. A flag in the background is likely a Cossack one (it carries a Zaporozhian Cossack Cross), but there are so many it’s hard for me to pinpoint exactly which one it is.

The obverse carries the same cross, often used as a memorial to the fallen in Ukraine, and it sits proud of a neat background, in which is depicted a medieval-style map of the countryside. The coin comes boxed, with a Certificate of Authenticity, weighs two ounces, and has a mintage of 999 pieces.

This is a straight-up stunning military coin, employing all the advanced minting techniques, and artistic flair that Mint XXI have made their raison d’être. Easily the finest coin for Ukraine we’ve ever seen, the fact that all profits from its sale will go to military and humanitarian causes, is icing on the cake. Outstanding.