January, 2021
SEVERUS SNAPE CHIBI (2021 NEW ZEALAND MINT)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-26T16:13:57+00:00January 26th, 2021|
SEVERUS SNAPE CHIBI (2021 NEW ZEALAND MINT)
We almost forgot this one, released on the same day as Luke Skywalker, but not available to buy until 01 February. Severus Snape is the sixth entrant in the Harry Potter Wizarding World subset and does a great job of channeling the sarcastic menace of the character as portrayed by the late, and very great, Alan Rickman.
As always, check out our comprehensive Coin Series Profile to the series, where you can see all the releases to date in all three of the different genres. Moving forward, it seems the New Zealand Mint will be issuing two of these twice per month, at least for the next two months. We know these are very popular and sell out fast, so we’ll continue to highlight them in our Quicklooks.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS CHIBI COIN SERIES PROFILE
LUKE SKYWALKER CHIBI (2021 NEW ZEALAND MINT)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-25T22:35:44+00:00January 26th, 2021|
LUKE SKYWALKER CHIBI (2021 NEW ZEALAND MINT)
Here comes Chibi again, this time the sixth in the Star Wars subset, as opposed to the Harry Potter and DC Comics ranges. Luke Skywalker has been a long time coming, but fans of the hit science fiction franchise can now have their hero in big-headed silver form.
Looks good, as they all do to be fair, and this $95.00 USD coin will be available today with the same 2,000 mintage as all the others. In most cases, they’ve sold out in very quick order, so our advice, if you want one, don’t hang around. We’ll add this one to our CSP of the series which you can see at the link below.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS CHIBI COIN SERIES PROFILE
SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL (2021 NZ MINT)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-26T21:57:52+00:00January 25th, 2021|
SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL (2021 NZ MINT)
A very cool set of four coins for the comic collector was released last year, featuring artwork from the Jim Lee series, Batman Hush. A well regarded story, it made for an attractive set. Following that up in 2021, the New Zealand Mint is launching Superman: Man of Steel. The format is the same, a 1 oz silver rectangle with a coloured reverse, but we’re not complaining, as it suits the comic book format well.
This debut issue reproduces the cover of Superman issue 204, which also features the work of Jim Lee, along with Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair. We don’t know how many coins will make up this set, but the story spanned twelve issues, each with cover art by the same artists. There are some excellent pieces in the run, so we’d imagine the mint will pick four of the best and wrap it up there, but we’re guessing at present.
The mintage is set at the same 2,000 pieces and the packaging retains the superb solid acrylic display frame that the mint uses quite extensively to great effect. Available now for $95.00 USD.
LINKS: BATMAN HUSH SERIES
CENTENARY OF WILLIAM SPEIRS BRUCE (2021 POBJOY MINT)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-22T13:34:43+00:00January 22nd, 2021|
CENTENARY OF WILLIAM SPEIRS BRUCE (2021 POBJOY MINT)
Pobjoy’s latest ship coin ties in neatly with their Antarctica and nautical series with a commemoration of a centenary since the death of Scottish explorer William Speirs Bryce. The 8.00 gram sterling silver variant has a tiny mintage of just 175 pieces, and depicts his ship, the Scotia. Looks neat enough, is well packaged, and offers a glimpse at a brave individual who deserves greater exposure (although not hypothermia, obviously…). Available now for £59.95 inc tax.
PRESS RELEASE: William Speirs Bruce was a British naturalist, polar scientist and oceanographer who organised and led the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition to the South Orkney Islands and the Weddell Sea. In 1901, Bruce purchased a Norwegian whaler and during the following months the ship was transformed into an Antarctic research vessel with two laboratories, a dark room and specialist equipment. It was also equipped with 11,000 metres of cable to allow for deep sea trawling for marine specimens and other equipment for the collection of sea water and sea bottom samples. The hull of the ship was reinforced to withstand the pressures of the Antarctic ice. Renamed Scotia the expedition left Troon in Scotland in November 1902 and headed south towards Antarctica where Bruce intended to set up winter quarters in the Weddell Sea quadrant.
Having got stuck in the heavy ice, the Scotia retreated to Buenos Aires until she was able to set sail again, following repairs in January 1904 to explore the Weddell Sea. In March of that year new land was sighted which Bruce named Coats Land, but in danger of becoming icebound, Scotia turned north again for the long voyage back to Scotland. One of the achievements of the expedition was to establish the first permanent weather station in Antarctica which is still operational now. This coin commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the death of William Speirs Bruce who passed away in October 1921. The obverse of the coin features an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II produced exclusively by Pobjoy Mint.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: LOVE IS ETERNAL(2021 NZ MINT)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-21T16:20:07+00:00January 21st, 2021|
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: LOVE IS ETERNAL(2021 NZ MINT)
We don’t normally bother with coins that are laser-focused on the gift market, which normally includes holidays (Christmas, Valentines etc), weddings and babies, for example, but sometimes we get to see something that effortlessly makes the jump to collectability. One such coin is this fantastic, esoteric issue from the New Zealand Mint. This mint is embedded deeper than just about anyone in the licenced franchise world, and while that does mean issues are never over adventurous, it doesn’t mean they’re boring.
One of the most iconic animated movies of all time is Tim Burton’s seminal 1993 work, ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. As a Burton movie, it has an extraordinary visual style, and the NZ Mint has tapped into that for this celebration of love. Depicting Jack Skellington and Sally, both picked out in colour against a backdrop of Halloween inspired imagery, it takes that age-old concept and puts its own unique twist on it, for the numismatic world at least.
It’s a one-ounce silver coin, with a mintage of 3,000 pieces. Packaging is comprised of the superb little book-style boxes that the NZ Mint has used several times in the past and the price is set at $95.00 USD. It’s available to order now, although not shipping until March. As we said, not generally our thing, but about as cool an example of the genre as we’ve seen in years.
LINKS: NEW ZEALAND MINT
TREASURES OF STANISLAW AUGUST ADDITIONS (2021 NBP)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-19T17:17:56+00:00January 19th, 2021|
TREASURES OF STANISLAW AUGUST ADDITIONS (2021, NBP)
The National Bank of Poland’s ‘Treasures of Stanislaw August series, in progress since 2013, kicks off the banks numismatic program for 2021 in fine style. We’re huge admirers of these medallions (they carry no denomination) and they do what numismatics excel at – bringing national history to life. These are straight reproductions of late 18th century originals and part of a 24 issue set.
They depict a Polish monarch and the 18th medal issued here is John Casimir Vasa, who ruled in the mid 17th century. Each is available as a 2oz silver, or a 2oz gold, the latter obviously the reserve of the lucky few and an explanation of why the initial release schedule was slowed down, no doubt. Available from 26th January, this quite stunning series is fully detailed in our comprehensive Coin Series Profile, where we also reproduce the super background put together by the bank. Mintages are capped at 5,000 silver and 600 gold, both presented in a box with a C.O.A.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS COIN SERIES PROFILE
The Royal Mint is reporting a sharp rise in small gold purchases amongst millennials
Mik Woodgate2021-01-19T14:09:34+00:00January 19th, 2021|
The Royal Mint is reporting a sharp rise in small gold purchases amongst millennials
Interesting statement from the Royal Mint today. An increase in demand for small fractional gold, which also ties in with our observation that 0.5 gram minigold coins continue to be popular as choice expands. Whether based in reality or not, there still seems to be a general acceptance that gold is safe and permanent.
PRESS RELEASE 19.01.2021:
New figures released from The Royal Mint show a rise in people gifting gold for Christmas – with sales of 1g and 5g bars increasing by 53% year on year. As the global pandemic continued to put precious metals in the spotlight, the Mint also recorded a 32% increase in millennial customers during 2020.
Turbulence in 2020 saw the popularity of physical and digital gold increase significantly at The Royal Mint, attracting thousands of new customers to their precious metals division. In the last quarter of 2020, The Royal Mint introduced special edition 1g and 5g gold bars for Diwali and Christmas, which contributed to significant growth as consumers sought out investment gifts.
Precious Metals growth at The Royal Mint:
- The Royal Mint recorded a 53% year on year increase in the sale of its 1g and 5g gold bars during November and December (2020 vs 2019)
- During November and December overall sales of gold increased 510% year on year
- As gold continues to gain mainstream popularity The Royal Mint recorded a 32% increase in millennials buying precious metals in 2020 (customers aged 22 – 37 years old)
Andrew Dickey, Divisional Director of Precious Metals for The Royal Mint said: “Gold continued to shine in the last quarter of 2020 as people looked to precious metals for safe haven investments, but also for savvy Christmas gifts. We saw a 53% increase in customers buying our 1g and 5g gold bars, which are designed as gifts to help people save for their future.
“The Royal Mint has been making it easier to access precious metals online, thanks to the growth of our digital investment products such as DigiGold and Little Treasures. As we go into 2021, various fiscal and monetary policies- both of which are traditional drivers of gold demand – will begin to unfold in an attempt to support the recovery of the global economy. With this in mind, we’re expecting demand for our precious metal products to continue to shine.”
Traditionally known for making coins, The Royal Mint has grown rapidly into the precious metals market over recent years. It is now the primary producer of bullion coins in the UK, as well as offering a range of digital investment platforms which enable investors to buy and sell fractional gold without taking custody of the metal. Its ‘DigiGold’ platform has proved particularly popular with millennials, whilst ‘Little Treasures’ is the UK’s only gold backed savings account for children.
DRAGON DOLLAR RESTRIKES ADDITIONS (2021 LPM HK)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-18T12:50:30+00:00January 18th, 2021|
DRAGON DOLLAR RESTRIKES NEW ADDITIONSE ( LPM HK)
LPM’s very pretty Dragon Dollar Restrike series continues to be filled out to completion with the addition of three new variants. For those unfamiliar, the series reproduces some of the beautiful Chinese trade dollars from the late 19th, to early 20th centuries, and each takes the classic Chinese dragon of lore for its base design. LPM chose eight of them for this limited series of bullion coins.
All eight designs are now available in silver, but there are still a few gaps in the other three variants which cover the three new issues here. The Kwang Tun Dragon is now available in 1oz gold, and that sees this variant come to a finish as well, with all eight now out. The antiqued silver ‘Water Dragon’ is the sixth coin in this format, so two to come. Last, but definitely not least, the chunky one-kilogram silver coin, which was a late arrival to the range, gets its second release, the ‘Reverse Dragon’.
All are available to order now from LPM and you can see the whole range in our comprehensive Bullion Coin Profile at the link below.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS BULLION PROFILE TO THIS SERIES
DINOSAURS: 05 BRONTOSAURUS (2021 NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-14T22:14:56+00:00January 14th, 2021|
DINOSAURS: 05 BRONTOSAURUS ( NEW ZEALAND MINT)
The fifth of the New Zealand Mint’s neat little Dinosaur coins is launched today and features the controversial Brontosaurus. This poor beastie was a thing, then wasn’t a thing for decades (it lost its name to Apatasaurus), and then became a thing again as the type specimen was reclassified. Whatever the case, it’s one of the most well known and iconic of the dinosaurs.
As before, this is a coloured and antiqued one-ounce fine silver coin. The Brontosaurus is highlighted with colour, and it sits in a depiction of its habitat. Neat presentation, and a pricetag around $89.00 USD mean the 2,000 mintage is a realistic number. We like these. Not a series that pushes any boundaries, but a solid, attractive set. We don’t yet know how many more are coming, but you can see the range to date in our Coin Series profile of it.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS COIN SERIES PROFILE
HARLEY QUINN CHIBI (2021 NEW ZEALAND MINT)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-12T11:43:56+00:00January 12th, 2021|
HARLEY QUINN CHIBI (2021 NEW ZEALAND MINT)
Chibi is back bright and early in 2021 with the launch of the 7th in the DC Comics sub-series, Harley Quinn. Coming to fame as The Joker’s main love, Harley Quinn is now one of the most popular DC characters of them all, with both a hit animated series, and the Margot Robbie headlined movie appearances. She also makes a super Chibi coin.
One of the more eclectic looking pieces in the collection to date, so its one that makes the move to Chibification with particular ease. A must buy for the Chibi coin collector in our view, it’s the same 1oz silver format as before, very nicely presented and with a 2,000 mintage. Our only concern with the series is the fast rate of release and the potential for collector burnout, which would be a shame given how original and brilliantly done these are. Check out our full profile to see all the releases to date. Available from today.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS CHIBI COIN SERIES PROFILE
DC COVERS: ACTION COMICS #7 (2021 NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-08T12:39:11+00:00January 8th, 2021|
DC COVERS: ACTION COMICS #7 (2021 NZ Mint)
The third time Action Comics has appeared in this series, issue #7 is a strange choice. A very sought after issue because of its rarity, it continues the style of the time in having a mix of small stories inside. in this case there are seven overall, with six being essentially throwaway stories. The headliner is Superman and this is the second time the character had ever appeared on a comic cover.
The Superman story is a pretty stupid one, revolving around the attempted sabotage of a circus, of all things. The legendarily powerful Superman of the modern time is clearly yet to develop. Nevertheless, probably one of the ten most valuable DC Golden Age comics of all time.
For the uninitiated, this series of ‘Premium SIlver Foils’ is comprised of relatively huge silver foils of 35 grams in weight. They reproduce classic DC Comics covers and do so very well, we have to say. They are easy to display and good value compared to an original. One of these in a very average condition would make $30k with relative ease. Available now and added to our guide to the series.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS DC COMICS FOIL SERIES PROFILE
UNESCO PRAGUE HISTORICAL CENTRE (2020 Czech Mint)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-07T12:22:23+00:00January 7th, 2021|
UNESCO PRAGUE HISTORICAL CENTRE (2020 Czech Mint)
The Czech Mint has issued the 12th in its series of platinum coins depicting Czech UNESCO sites. When the series kicked off in 2017, there were 12 UNESCO sites in the Czech Republic, and the mint even went to the trouble of creating a wooden box to hold the set. However, in 2019, two more sites were added to the UNESCO list and these will be released as coins in 2021. To paraphrase the movie Jaws, they’re going to need a bigger box…
This issue depicts the famous Historical Centre of the capital, Prague. A compacted view of several important buildings dominates the reverse face, like the Charles Bridge, the Church of St. Nicholas and the Cathedral of St. Wenceslas. The St. Wenceslas Crown, held by the St. Vitus Cathedral, joins the architectural structures. The common obverse incorporates the effigy of QEII into a ‘collage of architectural elements’ taken from the UNESCO buildings. This is an issue for Niue.
A neat series, they’re struck to a proof finish in an ounce of 0.999 platinum, and have a mintage of just 100 pieces per design. They come cased with a C.O.A. and there’s a collection box to hold 12 of them. The last two additional coins to round out the series will drop in February and August 2021. Available now.
LINKS: BUY FROM THE CZECH MINT
DOUBLE PIXIU GOLD BULLION COIN (2021, Perth Mint/LPM)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-06T12:09:54+00:00January 6th, 2021|
DOUBLE PIXIU GOLD BULLION COIN (2021, Perth Mint/LPM)
The legendary Chinese Guardian Lions, also called Foo Dogs, are often seen placed outside Chinese homes and temples. Set as a pair, a male looking outwards and a female inwards, they take the form of winged lions (a bit like an ancient Sharknado…). Perth Mint designer, Ing Ing Jong, has done a good job depicting the two beasts in their traditional guise. The male on the left has his paw on an embroidered ball, while the female has her paw on a balled-up cub. The pile of Chinese currency, with its distinctive square hole, is a nod to the guardians role in protecting wealth.
We’ve already covered the initial release of these coins in an article back in June, but the exclusive distributor, LPM in Hong Kong, have now released the gold bullion coin variant. Struck in an ounce of 0.9999 gold, it has a pretty healthy mintage these days of 5,000 pieces. Gold bullion is very popular in the Asian market, so these will no doubt fly out in short order. A pretty and traditional design that will appeal everywhere. Available now.
LINKS: IN DEPTH DOUBLE PIXIU COIN ARTICLE
DONALD AND DAISY DUCK BULLION (2021, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2021-01-05T22:25:51+00:00January 5th, 2021|
DONALD AND DAISY DUCK BULLION (2021, NZ Mint)
US dealer APMEX has now launched the 13th of the NZ Mints Disney bullion series with a coin that apes the style of the Mickey & Minnie in love coin, but with Donald & Daisy Duck. One for the Disney fan and a good fit with the style of the earlier releases.
Just the two formats are on offer again, both an ounce in weight. The 0.999 silver coin will be the stackers choice and has a mintage of 15,000 pieces. The 0.9999 gold coin is eminently collectable with its microscopic mintage of just 100. Expect to pay a little above the norm in terms of premium, but with a subject so incredibly popular and seemingly timeless, combined with that rarity, it remains a sound buy. Available now.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS BULLION SERIES PROFILE
December, 2020
PREHISTORIC LIFE: MAMENCHISAURUS BULLION (2020,)
Mik Woodgate2020-12-18T21:39:09+00:00December 18th, 2020|
PREHISTORIC LIFE: MAMENCHISAURUS BULLION (2020)
Sneaking in just before Christmas, the third Prehistoric Life bullion coin has been added to the range just a month after the Plesiosaurus debuted. We’re heading to sauropod territory this time with a species found in China that possessed a quite epic neck.Living during a part of the Jurassic Period, from 160-145 mya, the largest species reached a possible 35 metres in length, and weighed from 50-80 tonnes. Half of that length was neck!
This looks to us to be the best of the three designs issued to date, featuring a terrific scene of Jurassic life over the reverse face. How this translates from the artowrk to reality is yet to be seen, but it’s certainly very promising, especially after the disappointing Plesiosaurus issue. A 1 oz fine silver bullion coin with a 10,000 unit mintage, it ticks a lot of boxes in the limited-mintage bullion coin market.
Also in accompaniment is a minigold gold. If it debuts with the level of detail promised by this image, we’ll consider ourselves impressed, especially with the tiny 11 mm diameter canvas. This variant tops out at a relatively tiny 2,000 pieces. Available to order now, the coin is an APMEXclusive in North America, but more widely available elsewhere.
LINKS: PREVIOUS COIN IN THE SERIES