The countdown of Thunderbirds vessels continue with the release of the second of the five, Thunderbird 4. Each coin will depict the main Thunderbird vessels and the Tracy brothers that control them. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic British science-fiction tv show, ‘Thunderbirds’  the series contains seven coins overall, including the five vessel coins, bookended by an anniversary design, one in silver and the last one due for a September release, in gold.

The craft coins all follow the design ethos shown here and countdown from the space station Thunderbird Five to the rocket-scout, Thunderbird One. They continue to impress us with the design very much in keeping with the character of the show, and still believe they’ll make a great set once complete. The perspex display stands the NZ Mint use are amongst the best around and make showing the coins off very easy.

The greatest of Gerry Anderson’s puppet-based creations, Thunderbirds chronicles the adventures of International Rescue, a mysterious rescue organisation using ultra-advanced equipment to save lives. Set in 2065 and run by the Tracy Family, headed by ex-astronaut father Jeff and crewed by his five sons, the 32 episodes filmed are some of the most entertaining of their genre.

Filmed between 1964 and 1966, it used  pioneering scale-model special effects sequences in a hybrid filming technique they called “Supermarionation”. One if the most expensive television series of all time when it was filmed, the show spawned two movies in 1966 and 1968. A 2004 live-action film was also released to a universal critical mauling and rightly so; an absolutely appalling movie that should be avoided like the plague. The new series made in the UK by ITV, and in New Zealand with effects wizrds Weta, has shown seven episodes at the time of writing, and while it still lacks the spark of the original, it is starting to get a character of its own. With 52 episodes having already been commissioned, it seems Thunderbirds are back to stay for a good while.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Thunderbird 4, 1 oz Fine Silver Coin is the second in the countdown from Thunderbird 5 to 1 coins released by New Zealand Mint. Featuring the sporty Gordon Tracy and his underwater-rescue vehicle Thunderbird 4, this coin sets the scene for the complete set. It’s release is timed to coincide with an exciting part-CGI television remake, which will be broadcast in 2015 on CITV, 50 years after the original.

Gerry Anderson’s iconic Sci-Fi show blasted onto television screens in 1965. Set in the year 2065 on a secret island base, the series stars the Tracy family, who together with their five vehicles known as the Thunderbirds battle the forces of evil as ‘International Rescue’.

This highly collectible coin has a Limited Mintage of only 5,000 coins.

REVERSE: This design features the a colored image of Gordon Tracy, pilot of Thunderbird 4 against an engraved background featuring the various vehicles of the thunderbird series.

OBVERSE: This features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Country of Issue – Niue.

PRESENTATION: This colourful retro-styled Thunderbird 4 silver coin is presented in a futuristic, clear Perspex coin case. A classic box and uniquely numbered Certificate of Authenticity, make this one of a kind release and a classy and nostalgic gift for any Thunderbirds fan or coin aficionado.

GORDON TRACY BIO

  • DATE OF BIRTH: February 14th 2043
  • EDUCATION: Submarine Service and World Aquanaut Security Patrol
  • KNOWN FOR: Good nature, strength, and tenacity
  • FACT: Olympic swimmer and designer of underwater breathing apparatus
  • ROLE: Pilot of Thunderbird 4

THUNDERBIRD 4 SPECS

  • LENGTH: 9.1 m (30 ft)
  • WIDTH: 4 m (13 ft)
  • MAX DEPTH: 11 km (6.8 miles)
  • MOTIVE POWER: Six drive turbines, surface drive jets
  • ROLE: Underwater rescue

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SPECIFICATION

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
$1 NEW ZEALAND 0.999 SILVER 31.1 g 40 mm PROOF 5,000 YES / YES