March, 2023
Aquaman Mega Chibi 2 oz silver coin (2023 New Zealand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-03-02T18:16:46+00:00March 2nd, 2023|
Aquaman Mega Chibi 2 oz silver coin (2023 New Zealand Mint)
The behemoth that is the New Zealand Mint’s Chibi range continues with only the second ‘Mega-Chibi’ release to date. These are basically the same as the rest of the range, except bigger, tipping the scales at two-ounces, rather than one. Surprisingly, given the low-profile of the character of late, it’s Aquaman, from the DC Movies subset. Like the Batman Mega, it isn’t just a bigger character, but the same scale figure with a second element. Batman had his Batmobile, Aquaman has his shark.
Whether you like the bigger coins or not, there aren’t many of them, so at least the mint is experimenting with the concept. For me, given the nature of the designs, I think they should have gone smaller, not bigger. Making these available in 1/4 oz form would greatly increase affordability, making them far more attractive to the target audience. The mint could even partner with a jewellery company to have chains, bracelets and ring mounts for them, so kids could wear their favourite characters. Just a thought.
Anyway, our Chibi Coin Series Profile powers on, so if you want to see the (well over) 100 issues to date, check it out.
LINKS: OUR SUPERGUIDE TO THE WHOLE RANGE
Spring Bunny silver PEZ set (2023 MTB/PAMP)
Mik Woodgate2023-03-02T17:32:21+00:00March 2nd, 2023|
Spring Bunny silver PEZ set (2023 MTB/PAMP)
We weren’t sure if PEZ would resonate with stackers when it first appeared, but it’s fair to say, from the sell-out of every release to date, that it has a healthy fanbase. We’ve covered them all to date, and there’s a full Coin Series Profile up, so you can see them all together. If you’re unaware exactly what these are, they’re five-gram silver blocks that perfectly ape the look of the famous candy sweets.
The big selling point of PEZ has always been the huge variety of dispensers that you could buy, with a huge variety of styles and themes. MTB/PAMP has tapped into that feature by selling these sets with their own unique dispenser, and with six of the blocks, so almost a troy ounce in total silver weight. They’re not denominated, but each release has a unique privy mark on them, The sets have had a varied mintage from 3,000 to 5,000 units, but this time there are only 2,500 of them. Available to order now, expect to pay around $120 USD at launch.
Biblical Series 46: Samson and the Gates of Gaza (2022 Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-03-02T16:20:01+00:00March 2nd, 2023|
Biblical Series 46: Samson and the Gates of Gaza (2022 Scottsdale Mint)
Number 46 of the 60 coins in Scottsdale Mint’s epic ‘Biblical Series’ is upon us, and it’s Samson and the Gates of Gaza this time around. He’s depicted coming home from Ikea after a trip with Delilah, and she obviously decided to buy the big gate, Bakbrayka. What man doesn’t sympathise with him? Hopefully, Delilah bought him some meatballs, or a hotdog for his efforts. Seriously though, and steering you away from a trip through what passes for my mind, it’s another of Gustave Dore’s excellent woodcuts, and the story will no doubt be recognisable to those with a better knowledge of Bible lore.
This one is the fourth of the six due last year, and it seems Scottsdale is making a good effort to catch-up with what was a very ambitious schedule. The series is due to conclude at the end of next year, and we’ve been very impressed by the mint’s commitment. A 60-coin, 10-year series is no mean feat. We’ve seen a couple of the coins in this series over the years, and they really are very well produced, doing full justice to the classic original woodcuts. If you want to know more about the whole range to date, check out our full Coin Series Profile. This one should be available to order now.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS COIN SERIES PROFILE
February, 2023
Icons of Inspiration – Marie Curie bullion coin (2023 APMEX)
Mik Woodgate2023-02-24T15:02:08+00:00February 24th, 2023|
Icons of Inspiration - Marie Curie bullion coin (2023 APMEX)
As we’ve often said, the APMEX bullion coin series ‘Icons of Inspiration’ is one of our favourites. Designed by noted designer Joel Iskowitz, each release in this series cherry-picks a noted pioneer in a scientific field, showcasing their work and a portrait of them. These stand apart for their detailed, packed designs, and for the beautiful obverse muse. Small mintages help, with the prime variant, a one-ounce silver, of course, hitting just 10,000 pieces, and the silver proof, and gold bullion variants capped at a tiny 100 units each.
This sixth design maintains the very high standard set by previous offerings, and features French scientist and radiation pioneer, Marie Curie. An excellent depiction of the scientist and her work, it’s a fine entrant to the series. Icons of Inspiration is one of those we’ve had listed for compilation into one of our Bullion Coin Profiles for some time, so I’m pleased to see it’s now finished and published on site at the link below. A terrific series. Keep it up.
LINKS: OUR NEW BULLION SERIES PROFILE TO ICONS OF INSPIRATION
Creatures of the Deep proof coin (2023 Royal Australian Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-02-08T22:37:12+00:00February 8th, 2023|
Creatures of the Deep proof coin (2023 Royal Australian Mint)
Australia expends considerable time and money monitoring and protecting its unique ecosystem, and one of the more impressive scientific instruments at its disposal is the RV Investigator. This 94-metre long research vessel, built in Singapore, was launched in 2014, and used by the Australian Government for oceanographic studies, geoscience, and fisheries research. Packed to the gills with state-of-the-art equipment, it continues to plough the seas. At the time of writing, it’s situated just off the coast of Antarctica.
The Royal Australian Mint has debuted a small coin, available in silver or gold, which features the vessel and one of its Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), in this case a deep tow camera. The ROV is depicted exploring the seabed and the flora and fauna that inhabit it, including a brittle star (Ophiuroidea), gold coral (Chrysogorgia), and spiny king crab (Neolithodes flindersi). The design is quite neat, if lacking a defined focal point, and the inscribed title in a font that harks back to 60s horror movies, is a neat touch.
The silver variant has a mintage of 5,000 pieces, and the 25.0 mm diameter coin weighs in at a scant 11.66 grams – unusual for the metal. The gold coin (mintage 2,023) is a tenth-ounce in weight, and 17.53 mm in diameter. Both versions come in unique packaging, and both are available now.
LINKS: ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT
Archaeology and Symbolism – Antikythera Mechanism silver coin (2023 Numiscollect)
Mik Woodgate2023-02-02T21:15:39+00:00February 2nd, 2023|
Archaeology and Symbolism - Antikythera Mechanism silver coin (2023 Numiscollect)
The tenth issue in Numiscollect’s fascinating ‘Archaeology and Symbolism’ series features one of the most fascinating objects from the ancient world – the Antikythera Mechanism. Described as possibly the oldest example of an analogue computer, it was designed to predict astronomical positions and eclipses, perhaps decades in advance. Work on exactly how it was designed is still the subject of much debate and examination.
This new release continues to display the march of progress, with enhanced relief and detail, aided no doubt by the employment of smartminting. The mechanism is displayed in the centre of the coin, and there are some terrific, intricate figures, almost like a miniature Parthenon facade, surrounding it. A beautiful coin.
There are three variants, one antiqued, one gilded, and one antiqued with partial gilding. We love the partially gilded one, but we’ve long preferred that version of this series. They’re big as well, spanning 65 mm in diameter, which is great for a three-ounce coin. This post is just a quicklook, but we do have a full Coin Series Profile of the range up, and it’s just been revamped and modernised. Feel free to check it out. This series is well worth it, in our view.
January, 2023
Aruba 5 Florin ‘Warawara’ silver coin (2022 Royal Dutch Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-01-24T21:27:57+00:00January 24th, 2023|
Aruba 5 Florin ‘Warawara’ silver coin (2022 Royal Dutch Mint)
We’ve never covered the Royal Dutch Mint’s Aruba-issued silver coin series before, a strange omission, but with the sixth annual issue having recently arrived, we felt a Quicklook was warranted. Aruba is an island located in the southern region of the Caribbean Sea, and is not a colony, but a constituent part of the Netherlands, along with Sint Maarten, and Curaçao. Despite its small size (just 179 sq. km), it’s home to over 100,000 people, who survive in a dry, arid climate, heavily dependent on tourism after the collapse of the oil industry.
The island is home to some beautiful wildlife, and it’s here that the Royal Dutch Mint has drawn inspiration for this series. The Warawara, more widely known as the Caracara, is one of the biggest falcons in the world by body mass, second only to the Gyrfalcon. They munch on reptiles, insects, birds and mammals, even hunting on the ground, although they predominantly scavenge. An elegant bird, they’re found all over Central and Northern regions of South America.
The coins are fairly simple affairs. A wide border surrounds a coloured image of the animal, with the obverse sporting the Aruba coat-of-arms, bordered by issue inscriptions. Struck in 25 grams of sterling (0.925) silver, this 38 mm diameter coin has a mintage of 700 pieces, and comes boxed with a C.O.A. The 2018 Soldachi, and 2021 Yuwana coins are also still available, but the Turtuga, Bienchi, and Prikichi issues are sold out at the mint. Available now.
Marvel Comix: Amazing Fantasy #15: Comic cover silver coin (2023 New Zealand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-01-19T23:52:47+00:00January 19th, 2023|
Marvel Comix: Amazing Fantasy #15: Comic cover silver coin (2023 New Zealand Mint)
The New Zealand Mint has offered a comprehensive selection of movie poster and comic book cover coins over the last decade, in both traditional, and foil formats, but they’re now adding that absolute behemoth of a franchise to their portfolio for the first time – Marvel Comics. Marvel’s main competitor, DC Comics, has been a regular at the NZ Mint for years, with the Marvel honours being handled by the Perth Mint, and The Crown Mint (S&A), but 2023 sees the numismatic world’s biggest pop-culture producer join that gang.
Their first offering is one of the aforementioned comic book cover coins, part of the mint’s ‘Comix’ range, and what better place to start than the legendary Amazing Fantasy 15, the first appearance of Spider-Man. It’s a simple enough coloured, one-ounce silver coin, reproducing the cover while letting some of that shiny silver show through. Niue’s national coat-of-arms fills the obverse, with no sign of a changeover to the new Charles III effigy yet, if at all.
Packaging, as you’d expect from this mint’s outstanding track record, is well put together, nicely themed, and allows you to see the coin with the lid on. A certificate of authenticity is enclosed. The mintage is capped at 5,000 pieces, and it’s available from today. The NZ Mint has a fairly prodigious output, and there are plenty of Marvel coins in the works, including, of course, Chibi. Keep a track of them all in our comprehensive thematic guide to the Marvel Universe on coins at the link below.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS Marvel Comics Thematic Coin Guide
Burton Morris Pop 1 oz silver coin (2023 MTB/PAMP)
Mik Woodgate2023-01-19T20:39:36+00:00January 19th, 2023|
Burton Morris Pop 1 oz silver coin (2023 MTB/PAMP)
The Swiss mint, PAMP, through its US subsidiary, Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, has built up a good reputation with some unusual offerings over the last few years. Chief amongst them is an eclectic selection of shaped coins, with everything from animals to guitars, along with an unusual detour into confectionary-shaped silver bullion. Not the typical portfolio, for sure.
This new offering has dipped into the world of modern art, with world-renowned pop-artist Burton Morris the subject. His work portrays objects from everyday modern culture, depicted using bold black lines and bright, monolithic colours. Born in Pittsburgh in 1964, he was still in his 20s when he rose to prominence, his works embellishing the set of the hit TV show, Friends, for a decade. Today, his work hangs in such places as The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Jimmy Carter Centre, The World Of Coca-Cola Museum, The Obama Presidential Centre, The United Nations, The Elysée Museum, The International Olympic Museum, and The Hickory Museum Of Art.
This issue is a reproduction of one of his more iconic pieces, and is titled ‘Pop’. A 48 mm tall, one-ounce silver coin, it’s as intensely coloured as the original art, and comes in a heavily themed sliding-tray box, and in a custom capsule. Issued for Niue, it has a mintage of 2,500 pieces, and an SRP of $115 USD. Available to order now.
Heads up! The New Zealand Post is launching Avatar: The Way of Water coins soon. Images available.
Mik Woodgate2023-01-16T21:12:16+00:00January 16th, 2023|
Heads up! The New Zealand Post is launching Avatar: The Way of Water coins soon. Images available.
Rapidly ramping up box-office numbers so great it looks likely to take the all-time number one position, James Cameron’s Avatar sequel, ‘The Way of Water’ is currently wowing cinema audiences with its cutting-edge special effects. The original Avatar movie was quite unusual. It was a fantastic success in box-office terms, but left no lasting impression on popular culture, as did Star Wars, Alien, and Star Trek, for example. However, plans for several new movies are underway, and we’d expect interest in the franchise through the memorabilia market to increase.
The New Zealand Post have announced their intention to add silver coins to their extensive stamp range featuring the latest movie. There will be a pair of two-coin sets, with each of the four coins struck to a proof finish, with colour, and weighing in at one ounce of 0.999 silver. The first set, pictured above, depicts some fauna from the world the movie is set in, Pandora. One shows an aerial predator (Banshee), and the other a marine creature (Tulkum) of great intelligence. The limited colour palette and stylised design make a nice change from the usual, tiresome movie screenshots.
The second set (below), depicts the two main characters, Jake and Neytiri, and the portraits look decent enough, with colour used sparingly for effect. Both sets will come boxed (the NZ Post does this well) and with a certificate of Authenticity. We don’t have information on prices or mintage yet, but they will launch this quarter, and we’ll take a fuller look at them then.
LINKS: NEW ZEALAND POST
Treasures of Stanislaw August: Stanisław Leszczyński gold/silver medals (2023 Narodowy Bank)
Mik Woodgate2023-01-16T19:03:45+00:00January 16th, 2023|
Treasures of Stanislaw August: Stanisław Leszczyński gold/silver medals (2023 Narodowy Bank)
In our view, one of the finest numismatic series of the last few years, the National Bank of Poland’s ‘Treasures of Stanislaw August’ reproduces a series of medallions commissioned by the Polish King at the time, Stanisław August Poniatowski. They feature a selection of kings and queens of Poland, with a few notable exceptions (he didn’t like some of them!), and reproductions mirror the size and relief of the originals.
There’s a two-ounce silver and a two-ounce gold version, and the one you can see here is the 22nd of the 24 in the series. There’s one more king to come (in December), with the last issue, due next year, depicting Stanislaw August himself – a new creation for this series. For some time, we’ve had a Coin Series Profile of this range, so feel free to head on over there for images of all the prior issues, and the comprehensive, and interesting history the NBP provides for them.
LINKS: COIN SERIES PROFILE TO ‘STANISLAW AUGUST’
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Poster coin (2023 New Zealand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-01-13T08:35:20+00:00January 13th, 2023|
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Poster coin (2023 New Zealand Mint)
The last of the original Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi, is now celebrating its 40th anniversary, and as it did with both ‘A New Hope’ and ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, the New Zealand Mint is reissuing its movie poster coin with the anniversary logo. These rectangular coins reproduce the original movie posters, and all nine of the movies and their anniversaries, are now available.
The Star Wars movies enjoyed quite the range of now classic poster designs, so it’s a little disappointing to see the same artwork used again, just as in the first two 40th anniversary coins, but we do know the franchise licencer is very rigid on what can, and can’t be used, so don’t blame the mint. We’ve always like these coins, and the mint also produces similar issues for both Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. They have Indiana Jones coins coming in April, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see that series turn up in this form, which would be cool, because the posters are superb.
Available to order now, for around the $100 mark, it has a mintage of 5,000 pieces, and is an ounce in weight.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS Star Wars Thematic Coin Guide
Chibi coins for December and the new NZ Mint program (2022 New Zealand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-01-11T00:07:18+00:00January 10th, 2023|
Chibi coins for December 2022 (2022 New Zealand Mint)
Better late than never, as they say, the December Chibi releases are now in our extensive guide to the series, bringing it up to over 100 issues so far. As well as Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars, and Black Adam from the DC Comics movie, there were a couple of Disney Frozen coins – Elsa and Anna, No change to the style, or the options, so regular collectors will know what to expect.
Of more interest, perhaps, is what is coming in 2023. Chibi isn’t going to be slowing down anytime soon, it seems. The NZ mint is being a bit more open on new issues, so we can tell you that 31 January will bring the biggest Chibi news of the year – the addition of Marvel Comics to the range, with the debut of Ant-Man. The cavalcade of characters in that world are almost endless, so expect this subset to quickly become one of the most populous of all. DC isn’t giving up without a fight, however, and there will be Shazam and Aquaman issues, both for their respective movies, rather than the comic book range, released on the same day.
February 24th will bring the return of the 2 oz Mega-Chibi, with another movie Aquaman coin, although sporting a different design. DC’s ORM, and Marvel’s Black Panther also debut on the 21st. The obverse of the 2023 coins will understandably change a little, moving away from the Queen Elizabeth II effigy, to the simple Niue coat-of-arms. No news on whether King Charles effigy will put in an appearance. There’s another, bigger change for the 2023 releases, but we can’t say more on that until the 31st. It’s all zoom-zoom in Chibi-land.
The New Zealand Mint will also be issuing other types of Marvel coins in February, along with the usual Star Wars Universe, DC Comics, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings franchises. Disney is 100 years old in 2023, so that will be coming in February, and this Friday sees the release of the 40th anniversary Return of the Jedi coins. April sees the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros film studio, along with Indiana Jones, the 85th anniversary of Superman, and the Dungeons and Dragons movie. There’s more of course, although sadly virtually nothing that isn’t a media franchise. For fans, an impressive selection.
LINKS: OUR SUPERGUIDE TO THE WHOLE RANGE
VANTAGE POINT: BALD EAGLE 1kg gold coin (2023 Royal Canadian Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-01-10T19:31:19+00:00January 10th, 2023|
VANTAGE POINT: BALD EAGLE 1kg gold coin (2023 Royal Canadian Mint)
Nature coins are always popular, and there’s a huge variety of designs and styles, often of a wildly varying quality, on the market today. There are shaped coins, dimensional ones, and a plethora of coloured efforts, but for us, nothing beats a cleanly struck proof coin that’s focused on the artwork, and what better way to get the best art for your coin than to tap into the talents of one of the best wildlife artists.
For this new one-kilogram gold coin, the Royal Canadian Mint has returned to the talents of Robert McLellan Bateman CM OBC RCA., The man, now 92 years old, has dedicated his life to the natural world, using his art, primarily through The Bateman Foundation, to connect people with the natural world. His body of work is quite sublime, so the toughest decision the mint has is just what image to use.
Called Vantage Point – Bald Eagle, this 1980 painting depicts a Bald Eagle at rest on the moss-covered stump of a tree. It surveys the sea and the rocky beach. A terrific atypical piece, the original was 36″ x 60″ in size, but the RCM has done a top job cropping the best of it to fit the circular metal canvas of the coin’s reverse face, no doubt helped by the generous 106.1 mm diameter of it. We absolutely love it.
Given the weight of the coin, and the almost $100,000 CAD price tag, the mintage of just 50 pieces should come as little surprise. Despite that, it’s listed as sold out, and we suspect many were pre-sold. Whoever was lucky enough to get one, we suspect, is very pleased with the decision to buy it. They come in a wooden box, with a Certificate of Authenticity that depicts the original picture. The foundation has a 36″ x 60″ signed canvas print for sale at a comparatively sedate $1895 if you’re interested.
Available now, these are very well presented in a solid acrylic frame which makes display a doddle. The mintage of 2,000 isn’t high given the subject matter. A fourth coin, The Kiss, should be along in the next couple of months to round out a super series for the comic book fan.
Mickey & Minnie Valentines silver bullion coin (2023 New Zealand Mint)
Mik Woodgate2023-01-05T13:39:14+00:00January 5th, 2023|
Mickey & Minnie Valentines silver bullion coin (2023 New Zealand Mint)
It’s nice and early in the new year to see the first in what will no doubt be a torrent of bullion designs from the New Zealand Mint, utilising their extensive media franchises. Disney is the first franchise to get a release, and it’s one of their holiday/event issues. Mickey Mouse and Minnie are the perpetual couple in the Classic Disney world, so Valentine’s Day is the perfect display of that. The coin depicts the couple exchanging hearts, with the inscription ‘Made for Each Other’ underneath in a handwritten style.
It’s another coin with a small mintage for the genre, just 15,000 pieces, and the third in a row that seems to eschew a gold version. That’s quite surprising, given there are usually only 100-250 of those offered anyway, so we can’t imagine they’d be that hard to sell. The obverse has moved from the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II to the alternate Niue one featuring their coat-of-arms. Quite a few of the Star Wars issues have used this, but it’s rarer in the Disney range. The coin should be up for order from tomorrow. We’re now at the over-20 mark in the Disney bullion coin range, and you can see them all at the link below.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS DISNEY BULLION PROFILE