What do the John Wick coins say? Decoding the assassin‘s gold symbols
At the heart of the enthralling John Wick action franchise lies a unique form of underground currency – the gold coins imprinted with Latin phrases and covert markings. For video game and film fans enthralled by the enigmatic world of assassins, spies and secret societies, these coins hold the key to deeper meaning. As an avid gamer and John Wick expert, I‘ve dug into what makes these coins so compelling.
The intrinsic meaning behind the Latin inscriptions
Instantly recognizable to fans, the John Wick gold coins feature two Latin phrases that reflect core values and motivations in the assassin underworld.
"Ens Causa Sui" translated to English means "Generated from within one‘s self." This brilliantly encapsulates the self-governing ethos of assassins. They create their own codes of conduct, and are not bound by traditional laws or morality.
The second phrase, "Ex Unita Vires", translates to "Unity Creates Strength." This nods to the vital partnerships and loyalty between operatives – a theme frequently highlighted by John Wick director Chad Stahelski. It also references the ruthless self-preservation that maintains order in their society built on blood oaths.
Breaking down the coin‘s arcane design symbols
Engraved details on both sides of the coins hold further intrigue for fans. The inclusion of Roman numerals MMI (2001) creates an air of authenticity, suggesting the coins were minted to be used in the 21st century criminal underworld.
The image of a shield emblazoned with a cross seems symbolic of an ancient knight or crusader. This could imply operatives defend their covert partnerships and interests fiercely, regardless of traditional rules of law or battle. It‘s a classic anti-hero motif – the moral ambiguity makes characters like John Wick so compelling.
Estimated real-world value backs up the coin‘s influence
While the coins function mainly as symbolic currency in the John Wick universe, their production used real gold making them valuable. Based on typical .999 fine gold coins, they would be worth between $2,000 to $5,000 each in true monetary terms:
| Coin Details | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| 1 troy ounce gold coin | $2000+ |
| Estimated 2 troy ounces based on size | $4000+ |
For a world where assassins operate in the shadows, devoid of government backing or oversight, the coins perfectly encapsulate the incredible sway of their underground society. Physical coins may seem archaic, but their tactile, gold nature means respected operatives like John Wick will always be able to trade deadly favors – with interest – no matter the state of the world.
Why do fans obsess over the gold coins?
In many ways, the coins symbolize the allure of the John Wick universe – the enigmatic Blood Oaths, Honor-among-thieves and promises of Vengeance that dominate the society of assassins, criminals and spies inhabiting this fiction realm.
Who wouldn‘t revel in the real gold glinting with secret insignias, embodying codes of conduct with life-or-death stakes? It taps into the reader or gamer fantasy. While most will never fire a gun or adopted a covert disguise, anyone can imagine the thrill of passing a gold coin to a shadowy figure, exchanging it for the promise of retribution against our enemies.
In John Wick Hex and future games expanding this universe, using or collecting coins could provide hilarious and cathartic release. Perhaps a future title will let us enact honorable assassinations to slowly accumulate our own hoard of gold promissory coins!
