Solomon Islands. The ‘Bullion Giants’ Gathered Together on One Mega-Coin Design

The expansion of the bullion market over the years to investors, large and small has also increased the selection of coins, from weights, themes, shapes and many more countries who have released exceptional coins. Last year alone, the silver bullion coin market was valued at a record-high $1.1 billion by the end of Q2. This surge in value was partly driven by strong industrial demand and greater demand for silver as an affordable investment. The rise in silver prices, while less pronounced than gold, has made it a compelling investment option for those seeking portfolio diversification as well as adding to an existing coin collection.

Each coin is struck with the plateau minting technique, resulting in a dome-shape which enhances the design. The depictions include seven of the world’s most famous bullion motifs, which are artistically arranged on the reverse and around a roundel centre that includes the intertwined letters BG and the text BULLION GIANTS along with the year of issue, 2025. Each silver coin is also individually numbered in the centre from 001 to 999. The silver proof strikes are also enhanced with selective gold-plating on each of the bullion representations. Each gold coin is also individually numbered in the centre from 01 to 49.

Clockwise from the top,

The Panda from China. First introduced on gold proof coinage in 1982, the panda motif soon transitioned onto bullion strikes. A silver bullion edition of one ounce weights was added in 1987. The depictions of pandas have changed almost every year since their introduction.

The Britannia from the United Kingdom. First released in 1987, the reverse design on the gold coins depicted a standing allegorical Britannia shown with a trident in her right hand. Silver Britannnias were later released in 1997 and in 2013 the proof versions of the coin featured a different design each year.

The Kangaroo from Australia. The image shown is from the range of gold and silver bullion coins released by the Perth Mint. Their first gold coins were introduced in 1990 and the silver options in 2016. Unlike many other bullion-related coins, the depiction of a Red Kangaroo remains the same.

The Maple Leaf from Canada. First introduced to bullion collectors and investors in 1979, the Maple Leaf became the most popular gold coin second only to South Africa’s Krugerrand. A silver range of Maple Leafs were released in 1988 and since their initial release, there have been four effigies on the obverse side.

The Libertad from Mexico. Mexico ranks as the world's leading silver producer mining approximately 6,400 metric tons of silver in 2023, accounting for nearly 25% of global silver production. The gold Libertad with its depiction of the winged Angel of Independence was introduced in 1981 and the silver version one later.

The Springbok of South Africa. Perhaps one of the most recognised gold bullion coins, the South African Krugerrand, so named after the country’s first President Paul Krueger – and whose effigy appears on the obverse side, was first introduced in 1967. A silver version of the Krugerrand was introduced in 2017.

The Liberty from the United States. The first year the United States began producing the first ‘Liberty’ or Silver Eagle bullion coin was in 1986. The Silver Eagle coin was the official bullion coin of the United States and features Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse.  

The obverse features an effigy of HM King Charles III created by engraver Dan Thorne along with a background pattern representing the terrestrial globe. Above the effigy is the text CHARLES III SOLOMON ISLANDS with the specifications of the gold coin 40 g and Au 999 and separated by the denomination $25.

The silver coins include 50 g and Ag 999 and separated by the denomination $5.

Available from the 22^nd May, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The silver Proof-like examples are available from the e-webshop of the Royal Canadian Mint. Additional information for the gold and silver proof & plating coins is available from the website of MDM wholesale.