What do the John Wick gold coins say and represent in the movies?

Have you seen the John Wick action movies? If so, you know about the gold coins that play a crucial role in those films. In the John Wick universe, the special gold coins represent a "Marker" – essentially a blood oath and unbreakable favor owed when exchanged.

But what exactly does the Latin and imagery engraved on the John Wick coins mean? And what is the deeper significance and function of the coins in the assassin underworld? Let‘s dig in!

The John Wick movies explained

For those unfamiliar with the premise, the John Wick series follows legendary hitman John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) who comes out of retirement when gangsters kill his dog and steal his car. This kicks off an escalating war where Wick takes on the ruthless criminal underworld of assassins, mobsters, and shadowy elite figures who control them.

This dark, action-packed noir world has its own intricate system of rules, obligations, and codes of conduct enforced by a High Table council. Which brings us to the gold coins…

What the John Wick gold coins represent

The gold coins embody a "Marker" – a blood oath of service between people in this underground society. They indicate a deep obligation and favor that must one day be repaid. As described in the first John Wick film:

"A marker is no small thing, John. For a man to grant a marker to another, is to bind a soul to a blood oath."

When someone does an important service for another, they may receive a gold coin as a gesture of gratitude and indebtedness. That coin can eventually get "cashed in" to demand a favor or service in return.

So the coins function as tokens of reciprocation and goodwill in a realm devoid of traditional laws and contracts. They are the currency of honor and consequences.

Key features of the John Wick coins

• Here are some key features that help make the coins so meaningful in these movies:

• Made of 24 karat gold making them intrinsically valuable. This adds weight to the marker.

• Latin phrases invoking assassination history & tradition. More below.

• Dates back to medieval times implying long-standing rituals.

• Exchanged during formal ceremonies overseen by the High Table.

• Strict rules prevent markers from being stolen or abused.

• Owning coins shows status and connections in the underworld.

• Stylized imagery like crosses gives them a revered, iconic look and feel.

So in many ways, these coins and what they represent are the foundation of the entire assassin economy and culture portrayed in the films.

Breaking down the Latin phrases

There are two main Latin inscriptions engraved on the standard John Wick gold coins:

• Ens Causa Sui – This translates to "Existing because of oneself" or "Self-caused." It speaks to the independent nature of this secret society, with its own rules and consequences separate from mainstream systems.

• Ex Unita Vires – This means "Out of unity, strength." It refers to the unified strength of assassins around the world who collaborate based on a shared code.

A third phrase, Ex Large Vires, appears on some posters and promotional material. It means "Out of generosity, strength” – similar to Ex Unita Vires in meaning.

These Latin maxims seem to invoke assassin traditions dating back centuries and reinforce ideals like loyalty, reciprocity, and duty.

Imagery analysis – what‘s on the coin faces

The gold coins feature imagery as meaningful as the Latin phrases:

• Front: Depicts a human figure holding a shield with a cross. This implies religious, crusader-like undertones to the oaths signified by coin exchange. The cross itself combines Greek and Celtic styles, symbolizing the blend of European influences.

• Back: Shows only the letters "MMI" in Roman numerals, which translates to 2001. This may indicate when the coins and current version of the High Table system were established.

• Rugged edges: Mimic antique gold coins, furthering the sense of old-world ritual and weighty tradition associated with the markers.

So the coin designs perfectly visually encapsulate core ideas like history, faith, authority, and consequences.

Estimated monetary value of the gold coins

Many fans have wondered: How much are the John Wick coins worth in real dollars?

While the symbolic value matters most in the movies, we can estimate a monetary value based on the gold weight:

• Each coin appears to contain at least 1 troy ounce of 24 karat gold.
• With today‘s gold prices around $1,850 per ounce, each coin‘s minimum value is $1,850.
• Replicas sell online for $100 to $300 depending on quality.
• But the true value is not the gold itself – it‘s the blood oath and favor it represents.

So in financial terms, each coin may be worth a couple thousand dollars. But their significance in the John Wick world is priceless!

The intricate rules surrounding Markers

The gold coins don‘t simply function as currency. Complex traditions dictate their use:

• Markers cannot be stolen – they must be willingly granted and accepted.
• The magnitude of the return favor must be equivalent to the original service.
• Markers must be honored unless fulfillment is literally impossible.
• Rejecting a marker means serious consequences from the High Table.
• Excommunication and a global contract can be issued if rules are broken.

This system of checks and balances allows mutual assistance in an otherwise untrusting environment. It turns self-interest into duty.

John Wick gold coin checklist

• Composition: 1+ troy ounce of 24 karat gold
• Diameter: Approximately 1.5 inches
• Thickness: About 0.1 inches
• Weight: Around 30 grams
• Edge: Reeded (ridged) like antique coins
• Front: Human figure holding cross shield
• Back: Roman numerals MMI (2001)
• Main Latin: Ens Causa Sui & Ex Unita Vires

So in summary, the size, material, markings, and finish all contribute to the coins‘ distinctive look and feel as seen in the films.

The different types of coins

While most coins in the series are standard gold markers, there are some unique variations:

• Black coins – Signify a High Table command that cannot be refused. Winston gives one to John declaring him "excommunicado."

• Diamond coins – Denote a marker with extra significance that must be honored. Santino brands his initial coin to John with a diamond.

• Blood-marked – Santino‘s first marker to John has blood smeared on it to emphasize thebinding oath.

So the colors and additions indicate different classes of obligation – from a base marker to an unbreakable High Table decree.

Historical origins and parallels

The detailed marker practices likely have roots in medieval assassin guilds and secret societies who needed to track reciprocation and loyalty.

Some interesting historical parallels include:

• Favors and oaths between Mafia families
• Masonic rituals and symbols
• Blood pacts and honor codes among samurai and yakuza
• Notaries used for contracts since ancient Rome

So the coins seem to draw from real traditions of symbolism, rituals, and pledges of fealty in clandestine groups throughout history.

My views on the deeper meaning

In my opinion, the most fascinating aspect of the coins in John Wick is how they represent the attempt to impose order and meaning in a shadowy world without clear laws.

Exchanging markers becomes almost a sacred ritual – a way to elevate basic transactions into something noble. And the consequences enforce accountability in an amoral context where self-interest dominates.

I think the coins and what they embody are a poetic, idealized version of how cooperation and trust could function in such a cutthroat environment. Where written contracts fail, oaths in blood and gold prevail. Or so the legend goes!

What does the future hold for Markers and coins?

May contain spoilers

In John Wick 3, Winston suggests John Wick himself has become the High Table‘s greatest challenge. So what might this mean for coins and markers going forward? Here are some possibilities:

• The marker system endures despite John Wick‘s exploits – it has worked for centuries and seems engrained in assassin culture.

• The High Table may need to modify traditions to reassert control as cracks emerge in response to defectors like John.

• If John dismantles the High Table, markers may still have sway as oaths if holders feel duty-bound to honor them.

• Criminals could settle disputes personally without the High Table‘s authority to enforce markers. But this could breed more chaos.

Either way, the core ideas of reputation and consequences embodied in the coins seem sure to endure, even if the institutions supporting them falter.

Bottom line

At their foundation, the Latin phrases and arcane symbols engraved on each John Wick gold coin speak to ancient traditions of honor, obligation, and retaliation that govern the fictional assassin underworld.

Exchanging coins materializes a blood oath and favor owed between two parties. Ownership signifies power and connections. And the consequences for rejecting a marker prompt ethical conduct in an amoral realm.

Through this elaborate system of reciprocity encoded in precious coins, order emerges from chaos, and trust becomes possible in a world defined by deceit and betrayal. Which makes the coins a perfect symbol at the heart of the enthralling John Wick mythos.

So next time you see these gold talismans glinting on screen, remember the centuries of history and layers of meaning contained in each one!