Mickey Through the Ages wraps up this year with the iconic Sorcerors Apprentice from the classic Fantasia

Currently the New Zealand Mints flagship Disney range, Mickey Through the Ages has looked at some of the most iconic and best loved appearances from the filmography of Walt Disney’s master creation, Mickey Mouse. There have been three coins to date; the 1935 classic The Band Concert, The Brave Little Tailor from 1938, and the 1929 Plane Crazy. This fourth coin stars Mickey’s most famous appearance, the 1940 classic, Fantasia.

Fantasia was the third animated Disney feature film, and is composed of eight different sequences, all set to classical music, one of which, The Sorcerors Apprentice, has become a Mickey landmark. originally meant to be a short, the rising costs led Disney to expand the scope so it would make more money as a full movie. While not a hit on its wartime release, with subsequent reissues it has racked up some very respectable receipts, so much so that when adjusted for inflation, it’s the 22nd highest-grossing film of all time in the United States. It was the first movie shown with stereophonic sound, A sequel called Fantasia 2000 was produced in 1999.

As with the earlier releases, this is available as a 1oz coloured proof silver and as 0.5g, ¼oz and 1oz clean proof gold coins. This series is the first time the New Zealand Mint has dabbled with the increasingly popular minigold format, and the credit card mounted coin looks superb, a really cool and relatively inexpensive gift The silver and other gold sizes are presented in some great quality wooden boxes inside heavy themed shippers. A Certificate of Authenticity is enclosed.

It’s another good design, one tuned to appeal to the Disney afficionado, and uses the most recognisable image from the movie to boot. Every version is available to buy now priced at $85.00 for the silver, and $2,500.00, $620.00, and $75.00 respectively for the golds (all USD). We can’t imagine any Disney fan being disappointed with this series. Iconic scenes, beautifully struck and well packaged, these are on another level from the vast bulk of memorabilia that permeates the Disney market. Coin collectors will also find much to love here. Available to buy from the NZ Mint webstore, or from sponsors Minted-UK and PowerCoin.