June, 2024
Hot Wheels Rodger Dodger 1oz silver coin (2024 MTB / PAMP)
Mik Woodgate2024-06-06T23:47:01+01:00June 6th, 2024|
Hot Wheels Rodger Dodger 1oz silver coin (2024 MTB / PAMP)
In 1968, Elliot Handler, and his company, Mattel, introduced a new brand of model cars called ‘Hot Wheels’. Still popular to this day (a new cartoon is due to debut in 2024, and possibly a film!), over 20,000 different designs have been produced, and collectors pay thousands for rare models. Indeed, some have attained almost mythical status, like the Pink Rear-Loading Beach Bomb, of which only two were ever made, and these are said to be able to attract at least $175,000 if you ever run across one. The highest price paid for a car is $70,000.
MTB/PAMP have already released a Hot Wheels shaped silver coin, that one featuring the famous Twin Mill that actually ended up appearing as a real car. This time we have Rodger Dodger, a modified ’73 Dodge Charger SE with a protruding V8 engine, and quad side pipes, designed by Larry Wood, known as ‘Mr Hot Wheels’, in 1974. Pretty sure those wheels would result in a ride that would make your teeth fall out, but they look cool.
Again, this is one of PAMPs many shaped coins, and is a neat reproduction of the iconic original, struck in one ounce of 0.999 silver. The colour scheme seems to be based on a modern art piece sold by Mattel, rather than the original car. The themed packaging, designed to ape the original rack display packs, returns. A great homage to a classic model for the army of Hot Wheels collectors. Available to order from today, it has a mintage of 3,000.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $2 (Solomon Islands) | 31.1g of 0.999 silver | 62.0 x 32.1 mm | Prooflike | 3,000 |
Jera Rune silver bar (2024 Germania Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-06-06T22:58:39+01:00June 6th, 2024|
Jera Rune silver bar (2024 Germania Mint)
Germania Mint has just debuted the ninth in its ‘Runes’ range of one-ounce silver bars. These feature a runic symbol from early Northern European cultures, like the Norse civilisation, and in this case it is Jera. This rune means ‘harvest’, or ‘year’, and it signifies a harmony with the natural world, promoting a good summer harvest, and patience with the natural cycle of things.
A small shaped bar of an ounce of 0.9999 silver, the Jera rune is incused in the reverse, and has a UV glow-in-the-dark treatment. They have a heavily textured, and antiqued look, and the back of the bar carries the inscribed composition, and the Germania Mint glyph. They come in a bag with a matching rune symbol on the front, and in a box with the C.O.A. Available now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 31.1 g 0.9999 silver | 28.7 x 23.8 x 7.3 mm | Antique | 2,500 |
Revolver Five-Ounce Edition silver coin (2024 World Coin Appreciation)
Mik Woodgate2024-06-03T10:05:26+01:00June 3rd, 2024|
Revolver Five-Ounce Edition silver coin (2024 World Coin Appreciation)
It was only a couple of days ago that we did a round-up of an unusual batch of new issues by World Coin Appreciation, and as is typical, they release a new version of one of them right after…
One of our favourites of the batch was a dimensional revolver coin, issued for Cameroon, and tipping the scales at two ounces. We’ve learned that it sold out at the mint in very short order (it only had a mintage of 199 pieces), so it’s perhaps fortuitous that WCA already had a bigger, five-ounce version of it waiting in the wings.
Outside of the size, it appears to be pretty much identical in design, but with a mintage capped at only 111 units. Available to order now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| 3,000 Francs CFA (Cameroon) | 155.5 g of 0.999 silver | 86.0 x 60.0 mm | Antique, Colour | 111 |
May, 2024
Bon Scott AC/DC 1oz silver coin (2024 The Perth Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-31T22:58:47+01:00May 31st, 2024|
Bon Scott AC/DC 1oz silver coin (2024 The Perth Mint)
I don’t think many would argue that Australian hard rock band AC/DC aren’t one of the all-time greats. Formed in 1973, they continue to perform to this day, although over that long time, they have had different performers in their line-ups. One of the most beloved was lead singer Bon Scott, who performed on AC/DC’s first seven studio albums. He died in 1980 from acute alcohol poisoning. The band was going to disband, but Scotts parents wanted them to continue, and they hired Brian Johnson as their new vocalist.
The next album was a tribute to him, and was called Back in Black. It remains the second best-selling album of all time, beaten only by Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Scott’s grave has been designated a cultural landmark by the National Trust of Australia, and is the countries most visited grave. He was rated number one in Classic Rock magazines ‘100 Greatest Frontmen’. A true legend.
The Perth Mint’s new coin celebrates him with an image of Scott performing, alongside a signature, and a lion rampant holding a microphone. It’s a simple piece, in the Perth Mint style, but it gets the job done, and will bring back fond memories for many. The packaging looks great, and overall, a fine addition to the genre for fans of this ultra-iconic band. We’ve added this one to our huge Thematic Guide to Modern Music Coins, so go check that out if you’re a fan.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $1 TVD (Tuvalu) | 31.107 g of 0.999 silver | 40.9 mm | Proof, Colour | 2,000 |
Patronus 01: Harry Potter 1oz silver coin (2024 New Zealand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-31T13:31:16+01:00May 31st, 2024|
Patronus 01: Harry Potter 1oz silver coin (2024 New Zealand Mint)
Another new series of Harry Potter coins has joined the New Zealand Mint’s copious range, and it’s in their popular one-ounce rectangular format. Joining the film posters, and the Magical Creatures, this series is titled ‘Patronus’. Apparently, a Patronus is a magical guardian that a wizard can summon to ward off Dementors. Each coin will depict the character, and the manifestation of their Patronus.
The first issue is, of course, Harry Potter himself, and his Patronus is given form in the shape of a ghostly stag, It’s sure to be an appealing design for the fan, and it’s the first time we’ve seen this part of the mythos given coin face time. Almost all the major characters have their own Patronus, such as Dumbledore’s Phoenix, so we’d expect this series to get a few releases should the interest be sufficient to warrant it.
As is typical with the New Zealand Mint, presentation is really well done, with a Certificate of Authenticity printed on the box. It has an RRP of $109.00 USD, and is available to order today. We’ve added this to our massive, three-page Thematic Guide to the Harry Potter Universe on coins, so be sure to check that out.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $1 NZD (Niue) | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 36.0 x 53.0 mm | Proof, Colour | 2,000 |
Eastern Caribbean 8: Anguilla gold and silver bullion coins (2023 Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-23T13:40:00+01:00May 23rd, 2024|
Eastern Caribbean 8: Anguilla gold and silver bullion coins (2023 Scottsdale Mint)
Along with the Montserrat coin came the issue for Anguilla. Regular readers will know of my affinity for this island, having lived and worked there in 2005/6, so it’s great to see a coin capture the place so well. The boat races around the island (it isn’t a big place) were a highlight of the annual calendar, with almost the entire population out to see them. Boats with names like De Tree, and De Chan, with their ten-man crews (some jumping overboard at times!) battled it out for the honours. Great fun.
The coin is packed with boats, but the one in the front is not a racing boat, and is a little out of place if the racing is what is supposed to be featured here. The overall vibe is on point, however. There are bullion variants in silver and gold, and proof versions also in silver and gold, but with some selective colour highlighting. All tip the scales at an ounce. For a better look at all four versions, and indeed, every other issue under this program, check out our comprehensive, and newly revised Bullion Series Profile.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.6 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 25,000 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.6 mm | Proof, colour | 500 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 2,500 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 100 |
Eastern Caribbean 8: Montserrat gold and silver bullion coins (2023 Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-23T12:43:29+01:00May 23rd, 2024|
Eastern Caribbean 8: Montserrat gold and silver bullion coins (2023 Scottsdale Mint)
We recently covered the second pair of coins in Scottsdale Mint’s eight-coin Eastern Caribbean 8 programme for 2023, the sixth annual run through this beautiful region of the world. This is the fifth of them, and is for the island of Montserrat, famous for an active volcano that sometimes like to try and kill everyone, the last time in 1995.
The 2023 coin depicts an Oriole, the second time the national bird has appeared, and it’s another attractive design, if a little too similar to the 2020 issue. As usual, there are bullion variants in silver and gold, and proof versions also in silver and gold, but sporting colour highlighting. All weigh a troy ounce each. For a better look at all four versions, and indeed, every other issue under this program, check out our comprehensive, and newly revised Bullion Series Profile.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.6 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 25,000 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.6 mm | Proof, colour | 500 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 2,500 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 100 |
Doggaebi proof Version 2oz stackable silver bullion (2024 Coins Today)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-15T20:22:05+01:00May 15th, 2024|
Doggaebi proof Version 2oz stackable silver bullion (2024 Coins Today)
We’ve often waxed lyrical over the amazing stackable silver bullion issues that have emanated from South Korean producer, Coins Today, which have impressed in both quality, and variety. Designs have encompassed a diverse range of subjects, but it all started just three years ago with their first release – the Doggaebi.
The Doggaebi should be familiar to buyers of the Chiwoo Cheongwang bullion coins, forming a shield for the hero. It’s a protective spirit in Asian mythology, often adorning houses as a roof tile. The first stackable issue from Coins Today was shaped like one, and sported an open mintage, an antique finish, and a two-ounce weight. Since then, they’ve added a gorgeous one-kilo version, and a tiny little half-ounce variant to expand offerings to more budgets.
Now joining the range is a two-ounce proof finish version, identical in all regards to that 2021 debut release, except for the change in finish. What has changed is the mintage, with this one capped at just 2,000 units, and with production confined to 2024. In addition, the original antiqued variant will be discontinued. The passing of a classic, but we don’t doubt that Coins Today will keep us distracted with a plethora of new issues to come.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 62.2 g of 0.999 silver | 38.5 x 52.0 mm | Proof | 2,000 |
Tokelau Sealife LauLauFau Longfin Bannerfish bullion coins (2024 APMEX)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-15T12:03:43+01:00May 15th, 2024|
Tokelau Sealife LauLauFau Longfin Bannerfish bullion coins (2024 APMEX)
Tokelau Sealife is a 12-coin series of bullion coins featuring aquatic life teeming in the waters around this Pacific island group. It debuted in 2014 under the banner of Australian producer, Treasures of Oz, with the coins struck in the US (at the Highland Mint, we believe). However, the series was relaunched in 2020 with a revised, and more intricate design, and became an exclusive at US mega-dealer, APMEX.
APMEX have just issued the tenth in the range, and it features the Lau Lau Fau Longfin Bannerfish. The design follows the style of the 2020 reboot, which maintains the excellent fish imagery of the pre-2020 coins, but adds a complex, and in our view, divisive pattern in the background field. You’ll have your own views for sure, and you can see this one, and all the previous releases in our newly revised Tokelau Sealife Coin Series Profile, to compare.
As has been the case since 2020, there are one-ounce silver and one-ounce gold variants, with the former limited to 10,000 pieces, and the latter just 100. Both are supplied encapsulated, and are available to buy from APMEX now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $5 NZD (Tokelau) | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | B/Unc. | 10,000 |
| $100 NZD (Tokelau) | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 34.0 mm | B/Unc. | 100 |
4th of July PEZ bullion silver set (2024 MTB / PAMP)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-14T20:23:53+01:00May 14th, 2024|
4th of July PEZ bullion silver set (2024 MTB / PAMP)
The tenth incarnation of MTB/PAMPs homage to famed candy, PEZ, has arrived, and it’s a celebration of Independence Day, the holiday on the 4th of July that marks the official break between the United Kingdom, and its former colony in North America. It’s a celebration replete with flags and colourful decoration, and that’s exactly what we get on this new PEZ set.
For the uninitiated, PEZ is a small hard candy with a cult following. That following centres mainly around the legions of different dispenser designs that have appeared over the last 75 years – something that continues to this day. These silver sets tap into that with dispensers of their own, but here, the candy is replaced with identically-sized silver PEZ.
The set comes with six of them, and with each weighing five grams, that totals just short of a troy ounce. As well as a custom dispenser, the silver PEZ also carry a unique privy, in this case the US flag. The mintage on this set is lower than usual, at just 2,500 units, and it’s available to order now. We have a full Coin Series Profile up, with images of all the prior issues as well as this one.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 6 x 5.0 g of 0.9999 silver | 15.0 x 8.0 mm | Reverse proof | 2,500 |
Eastern Caribbean 8: Dominica gold and silver bullion coins (2023 Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-07T14:30:48+01:00May 7th, 2024|
Eastern Caribbean 8: Dominica gold and silver bullion coins (2023 Scottsdale Mint)
The second Eastern Caribbean 8 coin to be released in this batch is this terrific design for Dominica, not to be confused with Haiti’s next door neighbour, the Dominican Republic. Dominica is a stunning island, lacking the beaches the Caribbean is famed for, but replacing them with a rainforest replete with a breathtaking biodiversity.
The EC8 coins issued for the country have showcased some of it, and that’s the case again, with this pretty dolphin design showing a pair of them breaching the surface, bordered below by a flourish of waves, We think it looks great in standard bullion, and proof coloured forms.
As has always been the case for the EC8 range, there are bullion variants in silver and gold, and proof versions also in silver and gold, but sporting colour highlighting. All weigh a troy ounce each. For a better look at all four versions, and indeed, every other issue under this program, check out our comprehensive, and newly revised Bullion Series Profile.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.6 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 25,000 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.6 mm | Proof, colour | 500 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 2,500 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 100 |
Eastern Caribbean 8: St Kitts & Nevis gold and silver bullion coins (2023 Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-05-07T14:12:49+01:00May 7th, 2024|
Eastern Caribbean 8: St Kitts & Nevis gold and silver bullion coins (2023 Scottsdale Mint)
A little later than normal, Scottsdale Mint continues to work its way through the eight Caribbean nations that make up what is known as the Eastern Caribbean 8. These island states are linked by a common currency issued through the EC Central Bank, and have been the subject of a bullion coin programme since 2018, all issued by Scottsdale Mint.
The 2023 collection, the sixth to date, gets two new additions, and there are two more waiting in the wings for release very shortly. There are already two out, and the final pair have yet to be revealed to us. The first of this latest pair is this neat design for St Kitts & Nevis, depicting a conch shell over a nautically themed background.
As has always been the case for the EC8 range, there are bullion variants in silver and gold, and proof versions also in silver and gold, but sporting colour highlighting. All weigh a troy ounce each. For a better look at all four versions, and indeed, every other issue under this program, check out our comprehensive, and newly revised Bullion Series Profile.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.6 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 25,000 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.999 silver | 38.6 mm | Proof, colour | 500 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 2,500 |
| $2 East Caribbean | 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold | 32.0 mm | BU (Proof-like) | 100 |
April, 2024
United States Map 2oz stackable silver bullion (2024 Coins Today)
Mik Woodgate2024-04-23T23:54:32+01:00April 23rd, 2024|
United States Map 2oz stackable silver bullion (2024 Coins Today)
We covered a pair of new kilogram versions of previous releases from Coins Today a few days ago, and we said we were waiting for images of a third one. We have them now, and it’s a follow-on release of this producer’s map of the Korean Peninsula that launched back in May 2022, and was part of this producer’s stackable silver bullion range. The second release features the United States mainland.
Struck in two-ounces of 0.999 silver, and fully stackable, the design is a topographical representation of the main (48 states) area of the US. You can pick out the major mountain ranges, the Great Lakes, and even a few rivers. Surrounding it all is a flat border, on which fifty stars are placed, obviously representing the states. As a stackable, the back features a negative impression of the front.
The composition is engraved on the edge, and that’s it for inscriptions. This is undenominated bullion, so nothing else is needed. Each piece comes encapsulated, and the mintage is pre-set at 15,000. Available to order now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 62.2 g of 0.999 silver | 76.0 x 42.7 mm | Antiqued | 15,000 |
Big Five of Africa: Lion 2oz silver bar (2024 Royal Krakow Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-04-22T21:43:12+01:00April 22nd, 2024|
Big Five of Africa: Lion 2oz silver bar (2024 Royal Krakow Mint)
We’ve seen a huge uptick in interest for the humble cast silver bar of late, headlined by Germania Mints new Goddesses (and now Gods) ranges, and while it isn’t usually our thing to cover here (we have to draw a line somewhere), these bars have much artistic merit, and fit into themes common in the coin world. It seems that two-ounces is the sweet spot, and that’s the one chosen by the Royal Kraków Mint for the first in their Big Five of Africa range.
We’ve covered the Big Five several times in the past, but for those unaware, these are five animals considered the deadliest to hunt in the wild. In Africa, that line-up is the Rhinoceros, the Cape Buffalo, the Leopard, the Elephant, and the Lion. It is that last magnificent beast that adorns the first of RKM’s new bar series. It’s a classic portrait of the lion looking imperious, with a view of the savannah, including the iconic baobab tree, below it. The bars’ composition sits at the bottom over a tribal pattern. Very nice.
Each bar, of which there will be 500, has a serial number engraved on the back, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, all packaged up in one of those small black cardboard boxes. Overall, a fine debut, featuring a popular subject, a set series length, and with a nice tight mintage. Available to order now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 62.2 g 0.9999 silver | 40.13 x 25.07 x 7.5 mm | Coloured, Antiqued | 500 |
Gods: Baldur 2oz silver bar (2024 Germania Mint)
Mik Woodgate2024-04-18T12:08:06+01:00April 18th, 2024|
Gods: Baldur 2oz silver bar (2024 Germania Mint)
Coming out of nowhere, Germania Mint kicked off 2024 with a simple two-ounce cast silver bar. On the front of it was a beautiful coloured image of the goddess Freyja. So had debuted ‘Goddesses’, a new series of silver bars, and it was a huge hit, with prices on the secondary market rising dramatically. They followed that up with Sigyn a short while ago, and that sold out as quickly.
We’re not surprised to see the range expand, and the obvious route to that was to feature the gods, an even larger pantheon of potential subjects, and in many cases, household names. However, the series will be capped at six releases, with one launching every two months, just like Goddesses.
These bars are popular because of the artwork – no question. The first god, Baldur, is outstanding, and the equal of either of the Goddesses released to date. We really have to give credit to Germania Mint for the designs, and it’s easy to see why collectors have taken them to heart. We were fortunate to get a sample of Sigyn, and it lives up to expectations. Each bar is packaged in a card box with a COA, and the serial number is engraved on the bar. Only 999 pieces again, so expect these to go quickly. Available to order now.
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
| Undenominated | 62.2 g 0.999 silver | 40.13 x 25.07 x 7.5 mm | Coloured, Antiqued | 999 |
