Although the One Piece saga is already several decades old, its popularity shows no sign of waning. In 2024, in addition to the pop-up store dedicated to the franchise's playing cards, the Monnaie de Paris caused a sensation by inviting the characters of One Piece to enter its prestigious catalog. Through a first collection of mini-medals and coins made of precious metals, Eiichiro Oda's universe has offered itself a successful variation. In just a few weeks, many references were already sold out, proof of the incredible enthusiasm that the saga still generates among fans and passionate collectors.
The phenomenon has not gone unnoticed so much that the Monnaie de Paris has dedicated itself to repeating the experience. Today, it announces a new edition, available from April 29. This time, it goes even further by paying tribute not only to Luffy and his crew, but also to the more recent universe of One Piece, notably through the Egg Head Island arc.
Fans will be able to discover a series of nine mini gold medals representing the members of the Straw Hat crew as well as emblematic characters like Vegapunk. In parallel, four rarer mini silver medals will honor the four current emperors: Shanks, Teach (Blackbeard), Buggy, and Luffy in his mythical Gear 5 form.
A treasure worth over 900 euros to be found
For fans of One Piece, getting your hands on these coins is much more than just a simple act of collecting. Each medal captures a key moment in the series or an iconic figure. The Monnaie de Paris has also added a treasure hunt element by slipping special golden medals into certain pouches. If you find a golden version of Luffy Gear 5, you win a real gold coin worth 910 euros. A unique opportunity for collectors to get their hands on the famous One Piece.
Loot boxes in real life
However, this distribution method is reminiscent of a well-known model in the world of video games: loot boxes. Each mini-medal is sold in an individual, random pouch, meaning the buyer doesn't know in advance which character or coin rarity they will receive.
This system, which has been widely criticized in video games for its similarities to gambling mechanics, nevertheless continues to be widely accepted in the world of physical objects. This is evidenced by the success of Pokémon cards and collectible figurines. The major difference lies in perception: when it comes to a tangible object, often considered a souvenir or a miniature work of art, the experience is lived as playful rather than problematic. But in the end, isn't it the same system?
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