September, 2020
STAR WARS CHEWBACCA CHIBI (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-28T00:40:34+01:00September 28th, 2020|
STAR WARS: CHEWBACCA CHIBI (2020, NZ Mint)
Our weekly dive into the New Zealand Mints super rapid release schedule of Chibi coins in the run up to Christmas, continues. This week it’s the turn of Star Wars to get its second issue. Darth Vader kicked it off and Chewbacca now carries the torch for the tarnished movie franchise.
It’s another cool design, clearly aimed at a specific market. We’re not going to go into detail on these every time a new one drops, so head on over to our full Coin Series Profile of the range for more details. A 2,000 mintage, an ounce of fine silver in weight, and a $95.00 USD pricetag mark this seventh in the series to date. We’ll have to wait two weeks for the next debut – one in the Harry Potter sub-series.
LINKS: COIN SERIES PROFILE TO THE CHIBI RANGE
DC COMICS THE FLASH CHIBI (2020, NZ MINT)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-21T18:08:14+01:00September 21st, 2020|
DC COMICS: THE FLASH CHIBI (2020, NZ Mint)
The New Zealand Mint’s latest Chibi coin is here, and with another ten due to drop before the end of 2020, it’s a place we’ll obviously visiting pretty often (we like these!). Based on the Japanese big-headed ‘Super-deformed; cultural style, they reinterprete characters from three of the mints big franchises – DC Comics, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
The latest addition is the third in the Star Wars collection, The Flash, following Batman and Wonder Woman. Struck in an ounce of fine silver with colour on the reverse face, these Niuian coins have a mintage of 2,000 pieces each. This is the sixth Chibi release overall, and previous issues looked very popular, with Batman and Darth Vader seemingly well sought after. Nicely packaged and available today. Check out our Coin Series Profile for a look at the whole range to date and what is coming.
LINKS: COIN SERIES PROFILE TO THE CHIBI RANGE
400 YEARS OF THE MAYFLOWER (2020, Pobjoy Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-17T12:56:14+01:00September 17th, 2020|
400 YEARS OF THE MAYFLOWER (POBJOY MINT)
The epic voyage of The Mayflower four centuries ago has remained an inspirational tale to many, but there have been surprisingly few numismatic issues commemorating it. One of those participating was the British Pobjoy Mint, who released a limited run of silver bullion coins featuring the ship under full sail. This was exclusively distributed by US dealer, APMEX.
That design is now back in higher quality form with a very limited issue of just 102 pieces. The weight has doubled to two ounces, and we now enjoy a proof quality, ultra-high relief strike. We only have the usual renders at present, but it looks highly promising with its gilded sails. Definitely a coin we’d like to see real world images of. It comes in a walnut box with a C.O.A. and is available to order now.
Also available now is a minigold (0.5 gram) sporting a simplified version of the same design – understandable given the 11 mm diameter. Also proof finished and boxed, it stands out for its really tiny mintage of just 99 pieces, which is easily one of the lowest mintage minigold coins we’ve seen.
AUSTRALIAN SHIPWRECKS: BATAVIA (2019, Royal Australian Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-15T20:01:27+01:00September 15th, 2020|
AUSTRALIAN SHIPWRECKS: BATAVIA (2019, Royal Australian Mint)
The Royal Australian Mint’s innovative and attractive triangular bullion coin series has recently seen its third issue, but we’re heading back to the first of them for this latest release. Batavia came out last year with it’s standard 20,000 silver and 250 gold coin mintages and is back in very limited form with an antique finish. The same one-ounce 0.999 silver composition is in evidence again, and the coin remains identical in terms of design, except for the antique finish, but the mintage is capped at a relatively tiny 1,000 pieces.
It does look good, with the finish seeming to fit the theme very well. As before, this is an exclusive from Hong Kong based dealer, LPM who have also imparted some sad news for the Australian Shipwrecks series. We’ve had three designs to date and there’s just one more to go before it wraps up. The antiqued versions will also go for the full four-coin run as well. We’ve also produced one of our Bullion Coin Profiles to the series, where you can see images of all the releases to date, including this one.
HARRY POTTER & THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN POSTER (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-14T14:17:29+01:00September 14th, 2020|
HARRY POTTER & THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN POSTER (NZ MINT)
The Harry Potter behemoth is back in the coin world with the release of the third movie poster coin in the New Zealand Mints series of seven. Having its premiere in 2004, the movie went on to gross $796.7 million worldwide, and picked up a pair of Oscar nominations on the way. A darker movie than the first two, it’s considered by many to be one of the best in the run.
Nothing out of the ordinary with this one-ounce, fine silver coin. A simple reproduction of the original movie poster is what we expected, and is what the NZ Mint has delivered. These are actually very nice coins for the movie memorabilia collector, offering a compact and classy way to display the poster art without having a giant house, and without telling everyone that visits that you’re a Harry Potter fan… As before, a 5,000 mintage and wrapped up in one of the superb acrylic frames that the NZM uses with growing regularity. Available from today for around $89.00 USD.
AFRICAN WILDLIFE: SOMALI ELEPHANT BULLION (2021, Emporium Hamburg)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-10T13:50:29+01:00September 10th, 2020|
SOMALI ELEPHANT BULLION COIN ( BAYER MINT)
Now an old stalwart of the annual bullion coin release calendar, the Somali Elephant, also called the African Wildlife, is rapidly closing in on its 20th anniversary. First appearing in 2004, the coin features a depiction of an elephant in various poses and has seen some fine designs over the years. However, recent years have exhibited a relative lack of variety in the artwork used, to the stage than for one issue they actually just mirror-reversed an earlier design.
Fortunately, no such qualms for the 2021 coin, which has stepped up a gear, in my opinion. The image of the elephant looking out of the coin, extending over the border, is one of the best we’ve seen for some years and hopefully heralds a more adventurous design ethos moving forward. The obverse design – the emblem of Somalia – is the same common one that’s been used for years now.
There’s a core 1oz silver and a 1oz gold coin in the range, both at 0.9999 fineness and with open mintages, but also a whole range of other sizes, right down to a 0.5 gram minigold and up to a 1 kg silver. There will likely be the usual range of proof and modified coins as well. I think it’s about time we brought back our now deprecated guide to this series, but it’s one we’ve always had issues getting decent high-resolution images of. We’ll try again. Available to order now, a terrific new design in a series that has been showing some aesthetic stagnation over the last few years.
LINKS: BAYERISCHES HAUPTMUNZAMT
AMBER SCARABEUS ANTIQUED (2020, Mint of Poland)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-07T11:50:55+01:00September 7th, 2020|
2020 AMBER SCARABAEUS (MINT OF POLAND)
A long running seriesof 17.50 gram silver coins that debuted in 2015, the Mint of Poland’s Scarabaeus series reproduces one of the biggest icons in Ancient Egyptian culture – the scarab beetle. This series is a little different from most commemorative ranges in that rather than have a basic design that changes every year, they have a repeating design which is finished and adorned differently.
Uniquely, however, this latest issue using the same theme is wholly different. For starters, the weight of the coin has increased to 62.2 grams (two troy ounces). Most importantly, the design is all new, exhibiting increased detail levels and high relief. Colour is back, as are inset minerals – in this case, three half-spheres of natural amber. The colour is subdued, looking all the better for it, and it’s highly stylised, employing what looks to be an almost embroidered looking border to the wings.
The obverse is a simple effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank Broadley, and is devoid of modification, sadly.The overall result is a high-point for the theme from this mint, in our opinion, with the rimless coin suiting the artwork very well, much like Scottsdales superb bullion coins. Available to order now, it comes in a wooden box with a C.O.A. and has a mintage of 500 pieces.
LINKS: PREVIOUS SCARABAEUS COIN
WIZARDING WORLD HERMIONE GRANGER CHIBI (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-06T12:11:16+01:00September 6th, 2020|
WIZARDING WORLD: HERMIONE GRANGER (NEW ZEALAND MINT)
It looks like the New Zealand Mint’s Chibi coin range is turning into a hit, with the Batman, Harry Potter and Darth Vader issues selling out almost immediately. Next in line is the second in the Potterverse, Hermione Granger, and it’s another instantly recognisable caricature. Shaped and coloured for each release, these Chibi coins have had a universally high standard of design to date and this one is no exception.
An ounce of fine silver in weight, and very nicely presented in a windowed shipper with a custom capsule, it’s easy to see how these have become so popular, aided by a low 2,000 mintage. However, the mint has plans that might stretch collectors will a little. The next coin will be coming on 22nd September (DC Comics, The Flash) and it will be the first of ELEVEN to hit by the middle of December, so around 3 per month. At almost $100 USD a pop, that’s quite an investment in a short period of time. With sell outs on many coming quickly, there may be a few disappointed fans missing out on a few.
Anyway, knowing this is going to be an active series in the short term at least, we’ve compiled a Coin Series Profile to the range and you can see the silhouettes of the upcoming releases. We’ve added what we think those are where we can, but some are perhaps a little open to guesswork. Hermione is available now.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS COIN SERIES PROFILE
THE ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-03T16:12:04+01:00September 3rd, 2020|
ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL(NEW ZEALAND MINT)
The third of the New Zealand Mints Archangel coins is now available. After Gabriel and Michael comes Raphael, the archangel famed for his healing in the major Abrahamic religions. As before, the beautiful stained-glass designs from Hull Minster in the UK are the basis for the coins. Created in 1920 by Mary Hutchinson, they’re an inspired choice for the subject, tapping into the architectural aspect rather than the strictly religious.
A one-ounce fine silver coin of 36 x 53 mm, it’s struck to a proof finish and emplys colour on the reverse face using a relatively subdued pallette. We appreciate that they went that route rather than ramping up the colour to a caricature of the original artwork. The obverse is the usual effigy of QEII that populates the obverse of 99% of Niue issues. Packaging is excellent, with the mints superb acrylic frame doing the honours. Available now. for around $85 USD, it has a mintage of 2,000 pieces.
LINKS: DEBUT COIN IN THE SERIES
STAR WARS DARTH VADER BULLION COIN (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-09-01T20:56:02+01:00September 1st, 2020|
STAR WARS DARTH VADER ( NEW ZEALAND MINT)
The third Star Wars bullion coin of 2020, following both Boba Fett and the Mandalorian Mythosaur Emblem, features the fourth appearance of Darth Vader. To date, the screen baddie has alternated designs with Empire soldiers, and with the noticeable exception of the APMEXclusive Mandalorian coin, that continues here. The design is a familiar one, perhaps a little too familiar, of Vader done in a stylised ‘bas-relief’ form. It looks good, but we’d like to see something a bit different for any fifth depiction that comes.
As always, a one ounce silver (100,000 mintage) and a one-ounce gold (1,000 mintage) make up the range, with the former able to be bought individually, in tubes of 25, or in a themed monster box containing ten tubes of 25. The latter comes encapsulated. Both have a simple effigy of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by the inscribed issue details on the obverse. Available from today.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS BULLION COIN PROFILE
August, 2020
MAHAKALA (2020, Mint of Poland)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-28T15:33:32+01:00August 28th, 2020|
MAHAKALA ( MINT OF POLAND)
Two ounces of antique-finished silver, with a high-relief and rimless strike and with mythology as the subject. If you’re a gambler, it’s an easy bet that the Mint of Poland is involved. Their latest addition involves a dive into the mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism, although the subject also has reverence for Hindus and Sikhs. Mahākāla is the protector of dharma in Buddhism, which stands for truth and reality, and is said to alleviate symptoms of illness and attract wisdom.
The coin is literally packed from centre to edge with masses of high-relief detail. There are terrific little touches everywhere you look and the use of some selective gilding gives the design a nice focal point to draw the eye in. The obverse is a little dull in comparison. Issued for Cameroon, it’s a standard coat-of-arms affair. Packaging comprises of a latex-skin ‘floating’ frame with an inset themed insert. Mintage of this 45 mm diameter coin is capped at 500 pieces and it is available to order now.
LINKS: MINT OF POLAND
MICKEY MOUSE READY SET GO (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-27T12:54:02+01:00August 27th, 2020|
MICKEY MOUSE READY SET GO! (NZ MINT)
It’s been a bit quieter on the Mickey Mouse front lately, coming after several years of continual coin releases, but the annoying rodent is back with a new series of sport related coins. No doubt planned when the Olympics was yet to be floored by Covid-19, they still make a charming enough effort at doing something a little different with the character. The first in a series of at least four coins, each depicting a different sport being undertaken by MM, they’re bright and distinctive, which will appeal to fans, no doubt.
A one-ounce fine silver coin, struck to a proof finish, it comes with a serialised Certificate of Authenticity. Packaging comprises of one of the mints superb solid acrylic block frames, inside a themed shipper. Available from today for around $89.00 USD, it has a mintage of 2,000 pieces.
LINKS: PREVIOUS COINS IN THE SERIES
NEW ZEALAND KAKA (2020, New Zealand, NZ Post)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-20T23:20:59+01:00August 20th, 2020|
NEW ZEALAND KAKA (2020, New Zealand, NZ Post)
Raised in an ecosystem subject to almost total isolation from the rest of the world for the best part of 800 million years, the Kākā is a parrot that retains primitive features lost in almost all other parrots on the planet. Growing to around 45 cm in length and 450 grams in weight, this arboreal bird with its distinctive song is another that is currently endangered, but fortunately, the subject of extensive conservation efforts, with much success.
The coin, issued by the New Zealand Post, although struck by the Royal Dutch Mint, features a pretty image of the bird on a tree stump, with the background field covered by the iconic New Zealand ferns. The subdued colour pallette works beautifully, giving the art by Ben Timmins a natural, elegant look, in contrast to the over-saturated imagery that usually adorns coins of this ilk.
The obverse is the typical effigy of QEII, as it always is with NZ currency, and the coin comes in a decent box with a certificate of authenticity. Struck in an ounce of fine silver to a proof standard, it has a mintage of 1,000 pieces and a price of $145 NZD (around $95 USD). Available to order now.
LINKS: NEW ZEALAND POST
IN VICTORIA (2020, Niue, Mint of Poland)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-20T20:20:11+01:00August 20th, 2020|
IN VICTORIA (2020, Niue, Mint of Poland)
A coin to celebrate those that rise up to a challenge and overcome, ‘In Victoria’ is a 17.50 gram silver coin of 38.61 mm diameter, with some selective gilding on the reverse face. Maybe a gift for someone that has beaten a life-testing obstacle, it goes full-on jingoistic with its choice of design.
A winged personification of victory (looking like a sculpture if I’m honest) is shown riding a chariot drawn by four horses. Holding a large spear and a gilded (olive?) leaf, it certainly evokes the Ancient Greek visual style well enough. The obverse has the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II at its centre, with the issue details (it’s for Niue), inscribed around it.
This one comes in a neat box, with a themed certificate of authenticity, and all wrapped up in a similarly themed shipper. The mintage is just 500 pieces, which is low for something of this weight. Available to order now.
LINKS: MENNICA POLSKA
BIBLICAL STORIES: THE JUDAS KISS (2020, Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-17T11:53:16+01:00August 17th, 2020|
BIBLICAL STORIES: THE JUDAS KISS ( SCOTTSDALE MINT)
Time for the 32nd of Scottsdale Mint’s epic Biblical Series of two-ounce silver coins, and it’s ‘The Judas Kiss’ getting the numismatic treatment. For those unaware, the series is based on interpretative woodcuts of 18th century artist, Gustave Dore. Whatever you’re views on the subject matter, the woodcuts are clearly superb works and have translated exceptionally well to this new metal canvas.
Each coin in the series is rimless, high-relief and antique finished, with the coin serial number engraved on the edge. The kiss of Judas was the fabled act of betrayal when Judas identified Jesus as the one being sought for arrest, and followed the Last Supper. The phrase now refers to an apparent act of friendship that is in fact, nothing of the sort.
They’re packaged in a cardboard faux book style box, although some better and more expensive options are available. The mintage remains at 1.499 pieces. You can read more about this coin and the many others in our comprehensive Coin Series Profile using the link below. Available to order now. We’d strongly suggest buying early if you want one, as there’s a reduction for the first few weeks.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS COIN SERIES PROFILE