The second of Dutch coin producer Numiscollect’s new ancient mythology coins is a different beast to the Chimera coin we covered last week. Whereas that was the first in a new series featuring the animals of mythology, this is the second coin in the Mythology series that showcases legendary artifacts from the ancient world. The first coin debuted a year ago and was a superb representation of Mjolnir, the Norse god Thor’s hammer. We were particularly impressed by that coins early look at just how impressively smartminting can maintain detail on the sides of the ultra high relief elements of the strike.

This years sees the launch of Aegis, the Shield of Athena. As far as specification goes it’s a pretty standard affair, matching the Chimera coin and so many other ancient mythology coins in being struck in two ounces of fine silver with an ultra-high relief design. What sorts the good from the brilliant in this market is design, and Numiscollects latest coin doesn’t fail in that department.

The reverse face depicts the legenary shield, resplendent with the severed head of a gorgon, behind which is the figure of the Greek goddess Athena in a ruined temple setting. It’s a beautiful piece, one we like much more than the earlier Chimera coin, but the real star is the detail inherent in the strike. There’s hardly a square mm of this face that isn’t packed with it. Even the open mouth of the gorgon, usually something coin designers tend to avoid, is perfectly done. Just some light inscriptions with the coin name are present.

The obverse is a typical Cook Islands affair – just the effigy of Queen Elizabeth and the surrounding coin issue details, although this side is also antique-finished. The diameter is the standard 38.61 mm that is typical of one-ounce coins, so the extra weight has gone completely to high-relief. We like this one and it joins such coins as Choice Mint’s Ymir, Numiartis’ Minotaur and Numicollects own Quetzalcoatl as highlights of the genre this year. We’ve said this before, but the standard of quality of coins with this theme is incredibly high and doesn’t look like dropping anytime soon. Shipping around March/April next year, the coin will come in a box with a c.o.a. and can be preordered now for around €200.