Throughout history, cultures, including the greatest civilisations, have held a fascination with death and the afterlife. Particularly famous examples are the Aztecs, whose gruesome sacrifices to the gods of war and death are the stuff of legend, and, of course, the Ancient Egyptians, whose Book of the Dead is considered one of their defining texts.

Of late, in the coin world, the Mexican celebration, Dia De Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) has garnered particular attention, but closely following behind, is our traditional Western image of death, that of a robed skeleton, carrying a scythe to reap souls, sometimes astride a horse, and occasionally, as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The ‘Grim Reaper’ appeared in 14th century Europe, at a time the continent was wracked with the Black Death, a horrifyingly deadly plague that periodically ravaged the continent.

It’s the Grim Reaper that launches a macabre new six-coin series called ‘Figures of Death’ from Coins & More, a French dealer/producer, which will look at some of the legendary personifications of lifes end. The coin, struck in two ounces of silver, centres around our hooded skeletal figure. In his right hand is held that iconic scythe, its blade arcing around the coin border. In his left, he holds an hourglass, the sands of time slowly falling, and tucked in his tattered robe, his ledger.

The background evokes a late Autumn woodland, perhaps one he journeys through on his way to collect a new soul. A raven watches from an overhead branch. The far background, including the moon, is beautifully coloured – you can clearly see the moon is the light source. It’s a terrific scene, the forced perspective looking particularly menacing, with the colouring well-chosen, and applied subtly.

The obverse continues the theme, with a clock face frozen in time, perhaps a victim’s time of death, and it has that same barren woods look carried on the reverse. We love that multi-layered look. The coin serial number is engraved on the coin edge. The packaging is just first-class, consisting of an etched wooden box, and a themed Certificate of Authenticity done to ape a Tarot Card. A fascinating series, superbly realised, attractively presented, and with a mintage of just 250 pieces. An awesome debut, we look forward to seeing the series as it progresses. Forgot to mention, if you order it before 16th December, there’s also a free bonus engraved metal medallion included, of which I’ve added an image below showing both sides. A great touch.