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Metallic Madness
In a previous blog I wrote about the explosion in the board gaming world of ‘pimping’ your games. This can include 3D printing of replacement pieces, or sleeving your cards. However, along with custom inserts, the next biggest element is the introduction of metal coins to replace the punched cardboard we had so naively gotten used to. Now…custom inserts have a practical side. They aid in the set up and tear down side of gaming, making the experience a lot smoother. So spending £15+ on a foam core insert, or £30+ on a wooden or 3D printed one feels a little more acceptable. But metal coins? They are purely aesthetic right? Some might argue there is a gameplay enhancement from the weight and clank of them in your hands. Adding to the immersion of the game. I would be one who argues that every day of the week. However, my husband usually just rolls his eyes and tells me ‘there is nothing wrong with the cardboard pieces’. So is there a way to satisfy the little voices on both shoulders? With so many beautiful sets of coins out there it feels like a crime to keep them locked away for only one game so what are some of the nicest sets of coins that can be used in a whole multitude of games. Here are five sets and a handful of fully thematic games they could be added to, for that extra special experience.
Xia: Legends Of A Drift System - Credits
Everyone loves a good Sci-Fi theme! Cody Miller’s 2014 game about space exploration is a sandbox experience where players fly around, fighting others and completing missions. Designed around an ever expanding map of hexes, Xia has a great aesthetic and the miniature spaceships are excellent. But the star (excuse the pun!) of the production is the set of metal coins that come in the base game. In a triangular form they have a Star Trek feel whilst also feeling totally unique. These credits make for a perfect sci-fi themed coin. It’s not just big games that can benefit from added steel. 2012’s small box deduction game, Coup is the perfect theme for blinging your cardboard. In a dystopian civilization you are getting rich in order to take out your rivals. With it’s great character design, these coins would be a great addition to immerse yourself in the world of the crooked diplomat. Finally, 2018’s Underwater Cities takes the unknown to the bottom of the ocean instead. Much like in Terraforming Mars, you are on the mission to develop alternative living arrangements for humans as terra forma gets less and less inhabitable. Spending credits to build little plastic domes is the perfect use for these metal beauties.
Europa Universalis: The Price Of Power - Ducats
One theme that comes out a lot is late medieval/renaissance Europe. There is something about the trading of goods at this time that has inspired no end of euro games. Ducats were the main currency throughout Europe from the 13th to the 19th century so with such a huge span I am surprised there aren’t more companies producing these useful coins. However Europa Universalis: The Price of Power comes to the rescue. Coming this year, it is a strategy game from Eivind Vetlesen about exploration, exploitation and extermination! Starting in 1444 you will compete to build the strongest empire. As a big kickstarter game, it comes all kitted out and one addition is the metal coin set. A beautiful set of 1, 5 and 10 Ducat pieces which are also on sale separately. Another game calling out for use of these metal Ducats is the new game, Lacrimosa. This fantastic theme of helping Mozart’s widow to finish his last Requiem has a wonderful production except for those pesky cardboard coins. As a patron of the late great composer, you will need to perform musical concerts or sell the music you commissioned when he was alive in order to make money to fund your traveling. Or maybe 2004’s Goa, a strategy game of auctions and resource management, set at the start of the 16th century. Competing companies deal in spices, send ships and colonists into the world, and most importantly for this list, invest money. Or Orleans, the granddaddy of bag building where you recruit followers, pulling them from your bag to improve your options each turn. So next time you find yourself in 13th to 19th century Europe, crack this set out and get spending!
Libertalia: Winds Of Galecrest - Doubloons
Anyone who has seen Pirates of the Caribbean has the image of chests of golden doubloons which is perhaps the most iconic coin in popular culture. So it is important we have a set on our gaming shelves ready to go! Stonemaier games have become synonymous with metal coins ever since their first game-specific set for Scythe. But, this time a new version of 2012’s Libertalia by Paolo Mori is out and more coins have hit the shelves. The re-design and new illustration caused a lot of controversy from fans of the original but the one thing that wasn’t controversial was the quality of the production. Every element of this pirate themed game from cardstock to plastic tokens upgraded the game to a whole new level. And as with most Stonemaier productions came the additional upgrade of metal coins. Any pirate or pirate-adjacent theme is perfect for coin design but what makes this one better is the effort to add variety to them. As well as the quality you would come to expect, the coins all come in different shapes and sizes capturing that coin stamping look of the 17th Century. Why not move those doubloons over to 2019’s Maracaibo by Alexender Pfister. It sees you sail around the Caribbean as you gain resources and influence and Capstone Games released upgradable coins so you can live your best seafarer life. Or maybe you could uplift the already amazing production of Leder Games’ newest outing, Ahoy. This asymmetric game of combat and smuggling is a gorgeous game and although coins aren’t a huge part of the game, it always feels like the cardboard tokens don’t stand up to the rest of the production. Or set sail with the much loved Merchant’s and Marauders and take on the role of a captain of a small vessel in the Caribbean. The goal is to be the first to achieve 10 "glory" points through performing daring deeds (through the completion of missions or rumors), crushing your enemies (through defeating opponents in combat) and amassing that gold.
Magna Roma - Aureus
The last set I am going to focus on are from 2022’s Magna Roma. There are few themes that seem to take over the space but ancient Rome and its history of growth and development is perfect for board game design. In Magna Roma You are summoned by the Roman emperor to hear about his great plans for expansion. He wants you to found the next great Roman city and bring glory to the Roman Empire! This may sound familiar as civilisation games like this are ever popular and so Roman aureus coins feel like a great addition for anything who likes this type of gameplay. Why not try them out in the modern classic, Concordia or in the political push and pull of Liberatores where you conspire to kill Caesar. Or if you like a more ‘fighty’ game then Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery will allow you to spend your precious gold to upgrade your armor and weapons ready for the arena phase where you will send your best gladiators to fight to the death!
Iron Clays - Poker Chips
If all else fails and you don’t worry so much about the theme but more about the feel of coins in your hand then Roxley Games’ Iron Clays are fantastic. Weighted poker chips, presented in a gorgeous box, feel completely luxurious. They may not thematically fit many games but there is no denying that they offer another level of tactile satisfaction.
Whatever you decide, don’t keep your beautiful coins locked away in one game box. Share the love and show them off whoever you can!