Parisian-based coin producer Art Mint has debuted a cool, quirky silver coin today, one that commemorates 70 years since the much believed crash-landing of an alien spacecraft in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. Having started a whole raft of conspiracy theories soon after, they continue to propogate and be believed around the world today. Was it a weather balloon as the military stated soon after? Was it the result of the failed test flight of a new top secret aircraft? Was it an alien spacecraft? Nobody has clarified events, so it remains the subject of conspiracy theorists globally.

One defining image to come out of the chaos is that of the classic flying saucer design for alien spacecraft. Taken up by scores of low budget movies, and some blockbusters, the craft has entered the popular consciousness to the point where many believe they genuinely exist. What better way to commemorate an event like this than to take the recent trend of domed strikes and produce a flying saucer coin.

Taking all of the iconic design elements of this fictitious craft (yes folks, it really is fictitious...), Art Mint has produced a very cool representation in our favourite shiny metal. Combining a domed strike with high-relief has created a great piece of work in our view and it's enhanced with some nice touches. Alien text is inscribed on the reverse face and the Queens effigy (the coin is issued for Niue Island), is reduced in size and placed on the obverse where it doesn't interfere with the design intent. It also has some fluorescent tech built in, glowing in the dark after having been exposed to light. We've yet to see this, but it sounds clever.

Struck in 40 grams of sterling 0.925 silver, the Renato Saes penned design works great for me, tapping into the rich cultural seam that has ballooned up around this event. The packaging fits the theme well, looking identical to that used by the New Zealand Mint for its series, Endangered Wildlife. We've had several of those in hand and they're good. Shipping from late July or early August, the price should be a touch under €180.00. Art Mint coins have never been bargain basement items, but they always been worth the extra. Can't wait to see this one in hand, we'll try to get hold of one for a video and images.

UPDATE: Higher reolution images added and coin diameter corrected to 40.0 mm from 38.6 mm (my mistake).