At one time, the two-ounce, antiqued, high-relief silver, ancient mythology coin, was everywhere, with plenty of fine designs, but also with lots of unfinished series, which often frustrated collectors. Carpathian Mint’s ‘Women Warriors’ series is one that has some fine designs, but importantly, continues to add them to this day, with the debut of the sixth coin.

The premise here is simple. Showcase some of the legendary female individuals and groups that took to battle in the ancient world, some real historical figures, and some from the myths of old. Individuals have included Boudica and Mulan, with the Barbarians, Amazons, and Valkyrie representing the groups. The latest is another group, but one firmly in the real world, and they are the women who fought in the various gladiatorial amphitheatres throughout the Roman Empire in its heyday.

I’m pleased to say that, despite being the sixth design, this one is also my favourite to date, being very dynamic, action-packed, and with a better display of anatomy than earlier coins. The Gladiatrix is attired in Roman armour, and she wields the two series signature elements – a gilded weapon, and a shield formed from inset wood. A defeated opponent lies on the ground beneath her, with some big cats looking to join in the fun. It’s all set in the Colosseum. There’s a fine sense of depth to it, and while the weapons and armour aren’t exactly correct, the series is more about the emotion of the scene, not the history. The common obverse returns, and the coin, of which there will only be 333 struck, comes boxed with a
COA.

Avery nice addition to the series, one we’re pleased to see is getting stronger as time goes by. What next? Maybe Queen Zenobia who took Egypt from Rome, or Artemisia, who fought with Xerxes I against Greece at the sea battle of Salamis. Probably not Triệu Thị Trinh, the 3rd century Vietnamese warrior who kicked out the Chinese in the early 3rd century CE. She was said to be 9ft tall with 3ft breasts she tied behind her back, while riding an elephant into battle. That would be quite the coin… LOL