In my weekly visit to several local dealer's websites, I just found what I feel is a really very nice looking coin. It is a pre-release and the mintage is quite low for this type of coin....only 500 pieces maximum will be minted. Of course I love the fact that it's apparently very high relief and that the detailing is exquisite, but I also think that what might set this apart is that the high relief seems to be intelligently layered in the sense that parts of the subject that are highest relief are not protruding directly from the field. So for example, the shield of Ares (which seems to be the highest relief) is layered above other high parts of the design (like Ares' running torso and the bodies of the other depicted warriors). I hope that makes sense because that aesthetic quality is difficult to put into words but it makes a big difference in the look of the overall design. It's also the first coin in the series and I really like the gold gilt on the sword and shield....so that's another reason it's gotten my interest. Here's where I first came across the pre-sale of this coin: https://firstcoincompany.com/S/niue...7-detailed-ultra-high-relief-gold-plated-2-oz I have purchased several other high relief silver coins depicting gods and goddesses or similar deity-like characters and this coin will join those. This coin will probably be my first 2017 numi coin purchase. .
I don't like it. Besides, there's typically a huge difference between a graphical representation & end-product physical reality. But, hey: They could surprise us. Anyway, here's a peek at my first numi purchase of 2017. They don't make 'em like they used to...
To those who might be wondering what the actual coin looks like, I am curious as well. While images 1,2, and 4 above clearly are technical computer aided illustrations, the 3rd image clearly looks like an actual picture of a resin cast of the sculpt from a mold. I'm not expert but my thinking is that if the minting dies are somewhat comparable to a mold of the design, then the pressed coin should look very similar to the resin cast (except for color and a slight texture difference). All-in-all, the coin may look as good as the design in image 3. .
I expect the coin to look as good, if not better, than the images. The Polish Mint is arguably the best in the world at producing high-end collector coins, esp. high relief pieces. Anyone who owns for example the recent Trojan Horse coin knows what I mean. I purchased Ares today and I own very few of these ancient god-type of coins.
I don't own the Trojan Horse coin but I have seen videos and actual pics of it...quite impressive indeed. The Mint of Poland is exceptionally innovative. I look forward to receiving my 2017 Ares (ordered it today from First Coin Co.) If the mintage of this coin was more than 1,000, I might have waited till the coin was already shipping but 500 is a low mintage, even for collector coins...so I pulled the trigger. . .
I found an interesting discussion on the Ares coin here: https://www.moderncoinmart.com/forum/threads/new-gods-series-launching-with-ares-coin.5853/. I think Golino makes excellent points. .
Got some images of an actual coin up. In hand it's quite a stunning piece http://agaunews.com/agaushoot-mint-polands-ambitious-cgi-ares-coin-made-real-perfect-style/
