<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coin of Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Coin of Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madeline.boni_art/?__d=11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Madeline Boni</a></em></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coin of Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Coin of Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was recently spoiled on the Command Zone Deck Reveal for the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/turtle-power-tmnt-precon-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Turtle Power!</em> Commander precon</a>. This four-mana artifact says each of our creatures enter with an additional +1/+1 counter on it for each mana from an artifact that was spent to cast it. And it can tap to create a Treasure token, enabling its first ability.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coin of Mastery"></div></div>
<p>While sifting through all the new <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tmt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</em></a> cards coming out and trying to decide which cards I should add to my decks, I read Coin of Mastery and thought it was a variation of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kalain, Reclusive Painter" href="#" target="_blank">Kalain, Reclusive Painter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I glossed over it because I didn't think much of a four-mana version of her effect. But then I realized that it's not limited to just mana from Treasures. It can be mana from any artifact source.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kalain, Reclusive Painter"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kalain, Reclusive Painter" href="#" target="_blank">Kalain, Reclusive Painter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the closest card that functions similarly to Coin of Mastery. However, Kalain only puts counters on creatures for each mana spent from Treasure sources. This could include mana from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glittering Stockpile" href="#" target="_blank">Glittering Stockpile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goldhound" href="#" target="_blank">Goldhound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but there aren't many Treasure artifacts that don't sacrifice.</p>
<p>Not only that, Kalain can only be used in Rakdos (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) decks. Coin of Mastery, being a colorless artifact, means this card has a much higher potential to end up in many of your Commander decks.</p>
<h2>Artifact Mana Sources</h2>
<p>Before we look into what commanders will want <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coin of Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Coin of Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, let's break down the scope of what artifacts can give us +1/+1 counters. Let's start with the one card that's in everyone's deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sol Ring"></div></div>
<p>And would you look at that. We <em>finally</em> broke <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<p>In all seriousness, an opening hand with Sol Ring + Coin of Mastery will be a very strong start in Commander games. Cast Coin of Master on T2, tap to create a Treasure token, then on T3, you can tap the coin again to have seven mana available. Allowing you to cast your commanders and have them enter with up to four +1/+1 counters.</p>
<p>Truly bonkers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boros Signet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Worn Powerstone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thran Dynamo"></div></div>
<p>Mana rocks that produce more than one mana will be way more valuable in decks that run Coin of Mastery. It could even have you reexamine your suite of rocks. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Signets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> produce two mana, meaning you'll get one more +1/+1 counter on creatures you cast with it than you would with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Talisman of Conviction" href="#" target="_blank">Talisman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Which is all the more reason to run mana rocks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Worn Powerstone" href="#" target="_blank">Worn Powerstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Darksteel Citadel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Palladium Myr"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Night of the Sweets&#039; Revenge"></div></div>
<p>This doesn't stop at mana rocks either; artifact lands like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darkmoss Bridge" href="#" target="_blank">Darkmoss Bridge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will add counters as well when you cast a creature with them. Artifact <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/List_of_Magic_slang#Mana_dork" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mana dorks</a>, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Palladium Myr" href="#" target="_blank">Palladium Myr</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, will be more valuable in decks that want to add counters to their creatures.</p>
<p>And effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Night of the Sweets&#039; Revenge" href="#" target="_blank">Night of the Sweets&#039; Revenge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which allows artifacts to produce mana, should also be taken into account.</p>
<h2>Commanders That Like Coins (Counters)</h2>
<p>Now let's look at some Commander decks that will want <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coin of Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Coin of Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shalai and Hallar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iron Spider, Stark Upgrade"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will love having additional ways to put counters on her. Being in <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/boros" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boros</a> (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>), there wouldn't need to be many changes to the ramp package, as most of Boros' ramp is usually mana rocks. Coin of Mastery even makes the downside of the commander tax better since you'll get to add on those additional counters from spending that mana.</p>
<p>This will accelerate Anim Pakal's plan by putting counters on her right away and letting you make Gnomes on the turn she's cast.</p>
<p>Coin of Mastery would also be a huge enabler to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shalai and Hallar" href="#" target="_blank">Shalai and Hallar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as you can have them deal damage to opponents as soon as the creatures enter. The recently spoiled <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Casey Jones, Back Alley Brute" href="#" target="_blank">Casey Jones, Back Alley Brute</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another example of a commander who would love to put counters on creatures so he could deal damage to opponents. Commanders that care about putting counters on their creatures will want Coin of Mastery, as it turns your mana rocks into enablers for your deck.</p>
<p>Commanders who want to <em>remove</em> counters will also benefit from Coin of Mastery. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iron Spider, Stark Upgrade" href="#" target="_blank">Iron Spider, Stark Upgrade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s second ability says you can pay two mana to remove two counters and draw a card. Coin of Mastery would be an excellent inclusion in Iron Spider decks as it'll enable all of the artifact ramp and artifact mana dorks in that deck to add counters to any creatures you cast.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Leinore, Autumn Sovereign"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Juri, Master of the Revue"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate"></div></div>
<p>Many commanders also care about the power of their creatures. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leinore, Autumn Sovereign" href="#" target="_blank">Leinore, Autumn Sovereign</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> cares about having at least three different powers of creatures on board. It's easier to manipulate a creature's power when you can choose how many counters you want to put on them through mana spent from artifacts.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agatha of the Vile Cauldron" href="#" target="_blank">Agatha of the Vile Cauldron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful commander that reduces the cost of activated abilities of creatures you control equal to her power. And since her initial cost is <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, a simple <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gruul Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Gruul Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is all that's needed to make her a 3/3 to get the ball rolling.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Juri, Master of the Revue" href="#" target="_blank">Juri, Master of the Revue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of those commanders that you need to deal with quickly before he gets too big, meaning he's usually removed before getting to do much work. But with Coin of Mastery out, he'll enter with those counters on him. Meaning that Juri will get stronger each time he's recast. Unlike using Kalain in your Juri deck, you can just use mana rocks to cast him, so you can save your Treasures for putting counters on him when he's on the battlefield.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can reanimate a creature in our graveyard so long as that creature's mana valve is less than or equal to Alesha's power. While she can put counters on herself through attacking, cards that give out counters, like Coin of Mastery, will allow us to bring back bigger creatures faster.</p>
<h2>The Verdict on Coin of Mastery</h2>
<p>Mana rocks are so ubiquitous in the Commander format that Coin of Mastery could really fit into many decks without much issue. I'm not as keen to put this in any deck just because it has a handful of mana rocks, but if your deck is running 10+ mana rocks/mana-producing artifacts or other ways to produce Treasure tokens, it's worth considering.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Great Henge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Timeless Lotus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sceptre of Eternal Glory"></div></div>
<p>Even if the deck doesn't care about counters, increasing the power of your creatures and swinging with them is one of the most common ways Commander games end. So Coin of Mastery doesn't even need to be synergistic in order to succeed.</p>
<p>What do you think of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coin of Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Coin of Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Is this a card you're excited to add to your Commander decks? Let me know in the comments below!</p>


coin

How Strong Is Coin of Mastery in Commander?