Scottsdale Mints ‘Great Commanders’ twelve-coin bullion series nears the halfway mark with the Union General, Ulysses S. Grant
We first had a look at this series back in February 2024, after having seen them in hand at the Berlin WMF, and being suitably impressed. Called ‘Great Commanders’, this is a twelve-coin series of premium bullion coins, released three-per-year, each depicting, with a consistent profile portrait style, one of the most highly regarded military leaders in history. They cover every period, from ancient times to the 20th century.
They’re available in three formats. The most impressive for us is a 65 mm diameter, five-ounce silver, but there are also one-ounce, and tenth-ounce gold variants. The first two silver issues had an unbound edge, which looked fantastic, but sadly, these three have eschewed that for a raised rim, and a reeded edge. It doesn’t really affect the finished article too much, but it is disappointing nevertheless. The gold pairing has always had a raised rim.
The 2024 issues, including the Cortes one we’re looking at here, were issued for Liberia, but the 2025 coins have switched over to Samoa. We’re not sure at present what nation the 2026 coins will carry. The silver variants are supplied encapsulated, but the gold pair come in Scottsdale Mint’s Certi-Lock packaging. While the 2025 silver coins keep the 4,999 mintage, the 2025 gold coins have dropped from 10,000 to 2,000 for the tenth-ounce, and 2,000 to 500 for the one-ounce. A sublime bullion series that is affordable, yet exhibiting a high standard of design. Available exclusively from SD Bullion, who also have graded and slabbed coins for sale.
The latest release features American Civil War legend, and 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. The commanding general of the victorious Union Army, Grant successfully ground down Confederate forces, winning major battles at Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Petersburg. His stint as President was also impressive, stabilising the post-war economy, and expanding the rights of Native Americans, and former slaves. For the portrait on the coin, he is depicted in military uniform, more appropriate for the theme of the coins.
2025 ULYSSES GRANT
It would be hard to take a series called ‘Great Commanders’ seriously if it didn’t include Gaius Julius Caesar, and the depiction here is a classic portrayal, complete with laurel wreath, and ornate breastplate. It’s particularly disappointing that the silver variant doesn’t have the unbound edge and lightly textured background, as it would suit the subject, but the coin remains excellent, regardless.
2025 JULIUS CAESAR
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca (no surprise his full name isn’t on the coin!), was the Spanish conquistador that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. Massively outnumbered, he used disaffected local groups to bring down the unpopular Aztecs. It was an impressive achievement by any standards.
A superb representation of the conquistador, complete with decorated helmet and a ruff, it certainly does a fine job evoking the period. I think this is my personal favourite of the five designs issued to date.
2024 HERNÁN CORTES
As this is to be a 12-coin series, we had a bit of speculation on who else might appear on future issues in our first article last year. Of the three that have been issued since then, we guessed two of them, but missed Cortes. Below are my guesses, feel free to add yours to the comments.
OTHER POTENTIAL COMMANDERS
01: ALEXANDER THE GREAT – A no-brainer for this series, both well-known, and universally admired.
02: JULIUS CAESAR – Another dead-cert for inclusion, his military success is unquestioned.
03: HANNIBAL BARCA – Almost destroyed the Roman Empire, he faltered at the final step, and was beaten by Scipio Africanus.
04: KING ALFRED THE GREAT – Against the odds, beat back the Danes and set England on the path to consolidation.
05: CHARLES MARTEL – Frankish commander who halted Muslim expansion into Europe, and set up the Carolingian Dynasty.
06: GENGHIS KHAN – We reckon Genghis will definitely join this series, his exploits legendary.
07: ADMIRAL YI SUN-SIN – An outside choice, one of the greatest admirals of all time, defeating vastly superior Japanese fleets.
08: OLIVER CROMWELL – Created the New Model Army, brought professionalism to warfare, and deposed a monarchy.
09: JOHN CHURCHILL, DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH – Simply one of the greatest commanders in history.
10: GEORGE WASHINGTON – A leader of note, but not a skilled military tactician.
11: ARTHUR WELLESLEY, DUKE OF WELLINGTON – Another top level tactician and strategist, he fought a great commander, Napoleon.
12: ADMIRAL HORATIO NELSON – Legendary naval commander, whose wins at the Nile, and Trafalgar were pivotal to Napoleon’s defeat.
13: STONEWALL JACKSON – Or possibly Lee, Sherman or Grant, who also would fit the criteria for this range.
14: ADMIRAL TOJO HEIHACHIRO – His destruction of the Imperial Russian Fleet at Tsushima in 1905 was devastating.
15: GEORGI ZHUKOV – Through massive losses in men and material, he crushed German forces on the Eastern Front in WW2.
16: BERNARD MONTGOMERY – Cautious, but clinical, Montgomery was a first class strategist and tactician in WW2.
17: CHESTER NIMITZ – Commander of the US Pacific Fleet fighting Japan, his ran a superb campaign.
18: ANDREW CUNNINGHAM – British admiral, his exploits in the Mediterranean during WW2 were striking.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSION | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $5 (Samoa) | 155.5 g of 0.9999 silver | 65.0 mm | Proof-like | 4,999 |
| $5 (Samoa) | 3.11 g of 0.9999 gold | 16.5 mm | Proof-like | 10,000 (2025: 2,000) |
| $20 (Samoa) | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | Proof-like | 2,000 (2025: 500) |
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