The Empires classic TIE Fighter schematics adorn the latest Star Wars Ships silver coin
The fourth coin in the New Zealand Mint’s new Star Wars Ships series of coloured silver coins depicts a craft even more iconic than the X-Wing – the Imperial TIE Fighter. Following earlier 2017 releases featuring the legendary Millennium Falcon, the powerful Imperial Star Destroyer and the X-Wing starfighter, this coin depictis the ship in blueprint form as before.
Struck in an ounce of fine 0.999 silver, these are relatively simple designs, moving away from strong relief and instead relying on colour to form the artwork. The style chosen and the subject matter doesn’t lend itself to a wide scope in variety so the appeal rests entirely on the collectors appreciation of this incredibly popular movie universe and the elements that enrich it. The blueprint itself is kept free of superfluoous inscriptions, just the coin name, which could validly be seen to be part of the design, and the composition in a tiny font.
The obverse is the standard Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, packaging is excellent and the mintage is set at 10,000 units. Selling for $80.00 USD, the coin is available to order today and can be bought direct from the New Zealand Mint or from many dealers, including some of our sponsors.
2017 STAR WARS SHIPS TIE-LN FIGHTER SILVER COIN
TIE FIGHTER LINE MODEL
The starfighter of choice for the Galactic Empire, the TIE fighter was a small, fast and agile vessel produced by Sienar Fleet Systems. Powered by twin ion engines, the acronym of which gives the craft its TIE name, its distinctive shape became a byword for Imperial power.
A fragile fighter lacking shields, hyperdrives or anything remotely resembling creature comforts, its simplicity led to them being produced in huge numbers for assignment across the whole empire. It was 7.24 meters in length and could attain a maximum speed of 1,200 kph. The small tight cockpit had a single pilot who would routinely wear full flight gear owing to the starship’s lack of shields. The TIE fighter was considered easy to fly, a necessity given the size of the empire and the difficulty in training pilots.
While primarily designed for space combat, the TIE was quite capable of atmospheric flight and in any environment could use swarm tactics to overwhelm individually superior combatants. Constantly upgraded, new variants enhanced the concept far beyond the baseline, as exemplified by Darth Vaders TIE Advanced model.
SPECIFICATION
| NAME | 2017 STAR WARS SHIPS |
| DENOMINATION | $2 New Zealand |
| COMPOSITION | 0.999 silver |
| WEIGHT | 31.1 grams |
| DIAMETER | 40.00 mm |
| FINISH | Proof |
| MODIFICATIONS | Colour |
| MINTAGE | 10,000 |
| BOX / COA | Yes / Yes |
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