Niue continues its love affair with popular culture coins with the launch of Disney Pixar Cars
Niue Island in the Pacific Ocean is a small place, tiny in fact, and it’s fair to say that it would remain largely unknown were it not for all the quality numismatics that are issued in its name. The biggest issuer of Niue commemorative coins is the New Zealand Mint, a company that also enjoys a significant presence in the licenced coin market. With Star Wars, Disney, the Jungle Book and more already out, we’re on to the next in line, the hit animated movie series, Cars.
Like most of the previous releases of this type from the NZM, these are one-ounce silver coins with the Queens effigy on the obverse and a selectively coloured image on the reverse face. They’re not going to set coin collector interest alight, but they’ll no doubt have great appeal in the movie memorabilia market. Popularity there could bring new, younger blood into coin collecting and that’s to be encouraged without hesitation.
Each of the first two coins to appear in this series depict one of the main characters from the franchise. One is the star, Lightning McQueen, the other his female co-star, Sally. With just the car and the movie logo picked out in colour, they seem well done. The mintage is limited to 10,000 of each and they’re packaged in the excellent acrylic display frames that the mint regularly uses. They should sell for $80.00 USD each and are available now from the mint, or from several of our sponsors.
2017 CARS PROOF SILVER COIN
MINTS DESCRIPTION
Lightning McQueen was introduced to us in the Disney•Pixar film Cars (2006). He’s a fierce and fast, rookie race car who is driven to succeed. However, on his way to compete in the big Piston Cup Championship in California, he accidentally finds himself stranded in a quiet, run-down, desert town called Radiator Springs. Over time, Lightning McQueen warms to this small community and its unique characters – who help him discover that there are more important things than trophies, fame, and sponsorship.
Sally, was introduced to us in the first Disney•Pixar Cars movie. She grew tired of her life in the fast lane as a high-powered attorney in Los Angeles, so she made a new start in the small town of Radiator Springs. Charming, intelligent, and witty, she became the town attorney. She also became the car most dedicated to preserving the town’s historical beauty. She even bought a motel and restored it to its original condition, and she doesn’t plan to stop there. She’d fix the town building by building if that’s what it took.
The Disney Pixar Cars Lightning McQueen 1 oz Silver Coin portrays the hotshot, rookie race car Lightning McQueen, against an engraved background of the Radiator Springs countryside.
The Disney Pixar Cars Sally 1 oz Silver Coin, features a coloured image of charming Porsche™ Sally against an engraved background of the Radiator Springs countryside.
PACKAGING
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SPECIFICATION
| NAME | 2017 CARS (per coin) |
| DENOMINATION | $2 New Zealand |
| COMPOSITION | 0.999 silver |
| WEIGHT | 31.1 grams |
| DIAMETER | 40.0 mm |
| FINISH | Proof |
| MODIFICATIONS | Colour |
| MINTAGE | 10,000 |
| BOX / COA | Acrylic frame / Yes |
Unfortunately, the Mint choose the Cars 2 appearance of Lightning McQueen, which is much less popular among “Cars” collectors.
They better do just the “Cars” logo all over the coin (similar to Superman S-shield on RCM’s NCLT and Bullion) – that would be popular.