December, 2020
STAR WARS VEHICLES: TIE ADVANCED (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-12-18T20:10:29+00:00December 18th, 2020|
STAR WARS SHIPS: TIE ADVANCED X1(2020, NZ Mint)
Very much at the niche end of the New Zealand Mints copious Star Wars coin output, ‘Star Wars Ships’ is a series of 1 oz gold issues that, like the title suggests, feature the various legendary vessels from the Star Wars franchise. By its very nature, coins for this movie behemoth would have more appeal at the lower end, so it’s rare to see an expensive offering like these.
The Tie Advanced, Darth Vader’s ship, is the subject of this sixth issue to date and sticks firmly to the previously defined visual style. A clean depiction of the ship against an equally clean background field is used again. No design envelopes being pushed here, but a solid enough effort regardless. These are a little too expensive to embrace gimmickry, we think.
Not only the sixth issue, it’s also the last. The mintage of 50 pieces remains as tight as ever, and the packaging is of a high quality you would expect from the NZ Mint. So, a neat enough coin for the classicist with deep pockets (circa €3k). An EMK exclusive, US buyers can also pick up one up from APMEX. Available now.
LINKS: STAR WARS COIN SUPERGUIDE
THE JOKER CHIBI (2020. NZ MINT)
Mik Woodgate2020-12-11T23:58:15+00:00December 11th, 2020|
THE JOKER CHIBI (NEW ZEALAND MINT)
The last Chibi coin of 2020 is now amongst us and is a departure from the norm, featuring a villain from the DC Comics Universe instead of the superheroes that have populated the first five spaces in this collection. If you’re going to start with a big bad, pick the biggest one, and that would be the ever-popular The Joker.
The classic Batman nemesis, the character is easily the most widely known villain in DC Comics, having been portrayed many times on TV and silver screen by such actors as Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Jared Leto, and Joaquin Phoenix, although the version by actor Heath Ledger remains the outstanding one for me. The coin is very much the cartoon character style that suits Chibi so well.
As always, a 1oz silver coin with a 2,000 mintage and some neat packaging. This one will likely sell just as fast as all the others have, and as it’s the last one before Christmas, maybe faster than usual (usual is about 48 hours!). Never fear, there are at least 11 new Chibi coins due in the first quarter of 2021, across the DC Comics, harry Potter, and Star Wars franchises. We wouldn’t be surprised to see at least one new franchise added next year if the popularity of these remains high.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS CHIBI SERIES PROFILE
TREASURES OF STANISLAW AUGUST: LADISLAW VASA (2020, NBP)
Mik Woodgate2020-12-09T07:29:57+00:00December 9th, 2020|
TREASURES OF STANISLAW AUGUST: LADISLAW VASA (2020, NBP)
As well as the Enduring Soldiers series we looked at earlier today, another long-running favourite of the National Bank of Poland, ‘Treasures of Stanislaw August’ has also seen a new addition. In this case, it is the 17th of 24 coins that make up this beautiful series. They are quite unique in being reproductions of an actual late-18th century set of medallions created by Stanislaw August, to depict the great kings and queens of Poland.
The latest in this 2 oz silver or gold series is Wadislaw Vasa, who ruled from 1632 to 1648. Another terrific piece, collectors of the series will snap it up, for sure. Check out our full Coin Series Profile to the range to date. A quite superb series.
LINKS: COIN SERIES PROFILE TO ‘STANISLAW AUGUST’
ENDURING SOLDIERS MIECZYSLAW DZIEMIESZKIEWICZ (2020, NARODOWY BANK)
Mik Woodgate2020-12-09T03:27:05+00:00December 9th, 2020|
ENDURING SOLDIERS MIECZYSLAW DZIEMIESZKIEWICZ
A quick heads-up that the latest coin in the National bank of Poland’s long-running ‘Enduring Soldiers Accursed by the Communists’ is now available. We’ve been following this series for some time, including a Coin Series Profile, not because they are boundary-pushing coins, or even anything particularly unusual numismatically, but because the subject matter is so compelling.
The series looks at some of the figures that fought for Polish integrity after the fall of the Nazi’s in 1945. Many forget that for the people in many Eastern European countries, they’d just swapped one lunatic for another. Poland was hit hard during the war, and that continued under Soviet occupation for many years after. Each of these one ounce sterling silver coins highlights one of the many that fought and often died, in the fight for Polish independence. This one features the tragic story of Mieczysław Dziemieszkiewicz, alias Rój, who was murdered by a Soviet-backed militia aged just 26, after years of fighting to avenge the death of his brother, also killed by the Soviets in 1945.
The NBP does a great job.with the backstory on each issue, which we’ve reproduced in full in our profile. History buffs will find the stories powerful and offering a great insight into a difficult, and overlooked period in European history. The coins have done a fantastic job in bringing some of this into the light. Boxed with a C.O.A., it’s available now.
LINKS: COIN SERIES PROFILE TO ‘ENDURING SOLDIERS’
BOBA FETT CHIBI (2020, NEW ZEALAND MINT)
Mik Woodgate2020-12-08T00:39:35+00:00December 8th, 2020|
BOBA FETT CHIBI (NEW ZEALAND MINT)
A blistering hit, we thought Chibi would be popular when we saw the prototypes back in Berlin in January, but never to this degree. Now being released almost on a weekly basis, these $99.00 USD, 1oz silver coins have really struck a chord with collectors and sell out very quickly.
Case in point is this brilliant Boba Fett coin, which has already sold out at the mint after just a couple of hours. We’re expecting aftermarket appreciation to be high on this one, given the characters appearance in the smash-hit Mandalorian TV series. The fifth Star Wars Chibi coin, and the fifteenth overall, we had another four coins listed to come, but that’s now been expanded to another twelve (I’ll update the profile soon)
New additions look to include Princess Leia, Yoda, Catwoman, Robin, and more. One more due before the end of the year (probably The Joker), with three in January, before settling down to the release of two pairs per month, one on the 9th and one on the 23rd. How long this keeps up before we get collector fatigue is anybodys guess, but for now, enjoy what has become one of the quirkiest and most popular coin programmes of 2020.
LINKS: AgAuNEWS CHIBI SERIES PROFILE
AUSTRALIAN SHIPWRECKS: ZUYTDORP ANTIQUED (2020, Royal Australian Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-12-02T13:00:08+00:00December 2nd, 2020|
AUSTRALIAN SHIPWRECKS: ZUYTDORP ANTIQUED (ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT)
One of the neatest and most original bullion coins around, Australian Shipwrecks by the Royal Australian Mint and LPM, may have come to a recent end, but we still have a couple of the beautiful antique finished variants to come. At least we did have, as today sees the issue of the penultimate release in the four coin series, the 1712 Zuytdorp coin.
No changes to the original design except for the antique finish, but we have to say, that finish does really suit the theme. As before, this variant is capped at a very small 1,000 pieces, compared to the original brilliant uncirculated’s 20,000. They’re a bit pricier on launch, of course, but certainly not excessively so given the scarcity. A highly recommended series in what we think is its best form. An exclusive from Hong Kong based dealer, LPM We have a comprehensive Bullion Coin Profiles to the series, where you can see images of all the releases to date, including this one. Available now.
November, 2020
MICKEY MOUSE CHRISTMAS BULLION (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-30T18:57:22+00:00November 30th, 2020|
MICKEY MOUSE CHRISTMAS BULLION (NEW ZEALAND MINT)
The New Zealand Mint’s Disney behemoth continues to extend its tendrils into the bullion coin market with the second annual Christmas holiday issue. Sticking with the most iconic of Disney characters, Mickey Mouse, it’s another festive themed design with Mickey holding a big candy cane, with a couple of snowflakes in the background field.
The design is okay, although in our opinion, last years was better. None of these coins are heavily detailed, but they’re based on animation, so that fits the bill nicely.You either love Disney, or you don’t. There’s no guessing who this is aimed at, but the 100 mintage on the 1 oz gold coin is particularly enticing for the collector, as long as the purchase premium is reasonable. Disney memorabilia tends to have staying power, so something that rare and valuable could be a sleeper.
The most popular item will of course, be the 1 oz silver coin. Struck in 0.999 silver, it has a mintage of 15,000 pieces – also quite low given the subject. Available to order now, it’s an APMEXclusive, so only a few dealers will have this one. Check out bigger images of this, and the whole Disney bullion range in our guide (link below).
LINKS: AgAuNEWS DISNEY BULLION PROFILE
BARBADOS TRIDENT GOLD BULLION (2020, SCOTTSDALE MINT)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-26T14:18:05+00:00November 26th, 2020|
BARBADOS TRIDENT GOLD BULLION (2020, SCOTTSDALE MINT)
Also making a late run before the gate closes on this worst year for decades, the Barbados Trident bullion coin from Scottsdale Mint joins the Cayman Islands Marlin we looked at yesterday in finally dropping the 0.9999 gold version to sit alongside the silver that has been on sale for four months. Like the aforementioned Marlin, this is a staple design at Scottsdale, exhibiting only minor changes in design each year. For 2020, the silver coin dropped the geometric pattern in the background field for one mimicking waves, and that has also made the jump to the gold.
The obverse has the Barbadian coat of arms at its centre, and does not use the wave background field. The 32 mm one-ounce gold format is the only one on offer and we’ve yet to have the mintage confirmed yet. The 2019 issue had a 5,000 unit cap, and we’d be very surprised to see this change upwards. Again, we will update when we know. Available shortly, from all the usual stockists.
LINKS: GUIDE TO SCOTTSDALE’S SILVER SERIES
HOMER SIMPSON ULTRA HIGH RELIEF (2021, PERTH MINT)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-25T21:30:01+00:00November 25th, 2020|
HOMER SIMPSON ULTRA HIGH RELIEF (2021, PERTH MINT)
This new The Simpsons coin from the Perth Mint is one of the best we’ve seen from them that features the world’s most popular dysfunctional family. Apart from a couple of excellent bullion coins, we’ve been a bit underwhelmed with the offerings showcasing the legendary animated series, but this latest two-ounce silver, ultra-high relief proof coin is definitely a step in the right direction.
Choosing to keep it simple, the depiction of Homer, the family patriarch, is bang on and manages to avoid superfluous background imagery for a sharp, clean look. A really neat coin for the fan, it will be enhanced by the UHR strike, which in the case of the erth Mint usually means a deeply concave reverse face that will suit the design perfectly.
Packaging is comprised of a solid acrylic frame, we love those here, and a coloured shipper with an enclosed C.O.A. Issued for Tuvalu, it has the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank Broadley on the obverse, unlike the mints Australian issues, which use the latest Jody Clark version. A mintage of 2,000 pieces is reasonable enough, but the price of $249 AUD is a touch high, inevitable given the increase in the silver spot price. Available now.
CAYMAN ISLANDS MARLIN GOLD BULLION (2020, SCOTTSDALE MINT)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-25T18:14:50+00:00November 25th, 2020|
CAYMAN ISLANDS MARLIN GOLD BULLION (2020, SCOTTSDALE MINT)
The Cayman Islands Marlin debuted for the fourth time in silver back in July, but has now launched in gold as well, although for only the third time as it was silver only in 2017. No changes to the pretty design, with the wave-pattern border still in evidence on both the reverse and obverse faces.
Just a 1 oz 0.9999 gold variant on offer, with no fractionals at present. The gold had a mintage of 10,000 pieces last year, but we’ve yet to have this years number confirmed. We’d not be surprised to see it lower, but this is a core stackers coin from Scottsdale, so it will almost certainly have a mintage greater than, for example, EC8’s 2,500 pieces. We will update shortly.
LINKS: GUIDE TO SCOTTSDALE’S SILVER SERIES
RWANDA AFRICAN OUNCE: OKAPI (2021, BH MAYER)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-22T17:23:39+00:00November 22nd, 2020|
RWANDA AFRICAN OUNCE: OKAPI (2021, BH MAYER)
Chugging along, just like the equally long-standing African bullion coin, the Somali Elephant, the Rwandan African ounce has always been a little more enigmatic and restricted in distribution than its cousin. Struck by the very talented BH Mayer in Germany, the series debuted in 2008 and early issues have seen some impressive appreciation on the secondary market. The design changes every year, but not excessively. The obverse and a large part of the reverse have remained static, with the main annual change being the specific animal depicted.
For 2021, it’s the unusual Okapi, a zebra-striped relative of the Giraffe, also called the Forest Giraffe. The designer has done a terrific job this year, fitting the pair of grazing beasts into the space by the image of the continent very well and showing no signs of artistic compromise. Regular buyers will know what to expect, of course, but it’s good to see the series still capable of some great looking issues after so long.
As always, a 1oz 0.999 gold and a 1oz 0.999 silver make up the bullion range, with the former having a small mintage of just 100 pieces. The silver is unlimited in theory, but these aren’t struck all year, with the reality that finalised annual numbers tend to be quite low. A proof version of the silver coin is also offered with a 1,000 mintage. An attractive staple of the bullion calendar, this one is available to order now, with shipping starting in mid to late December. We’d love to do one of our Bullion Guides to this series, but getting decent images is a constant problem and we’ve struggled to get help from the coin issuer (not BH Mayer who just strike it). We will continue to pursue.
LINKS: SHOEBILL COIN FROM 2019
BACK TO THE FUTURE OUTATIME 10 OZ (THE COIN COMPANY)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-20T11:38:22+00:00November 20th, 2020|
BACK TO THE FUTURE OUTATIME 10 OZ (THE COIN COMPANY)
Just a quick heads up this time. The popular Back to the Future themed coin ‘OUTATIME’, featuring the iconic De Lorean’s licence plate, is back in a greatly enlarged ten-ounce format with a very small mintage of just 88 pieces. The design is identical, but it’s grown to 160 x 80 mm in size.
The presentation is similarly well done, with a closer view of the back of Doc Brown’s car to account for the coin needing to fit between the rear lights like a proper number plate. The only downside seems to be that this is a pricey beast, closing in on €2,000 at the places we’ve seen it at the time of publication.It’s got to be one of the rarest pieces of Back to the Future memorabilia, however. Available to order now, we’ve seen it at European Mint and Powercoin, although others may also stock the few available.
LINKS: OUR ARTICLE ON THE 2-OZ ORIGINAL
STAR WARS: STORMTROOPER CHIBI (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-17T00:34:39+00:00November 17th, 2020|
STAR WARS: STORMTROOPER CHIBI (2020, NZ Mint)
Darth Vader, Chewbacca and R2-D2 now have the Imperial Stormtrooper joing them in Chibi-land. This is a great release that suits the concept well and will no doubt be a rapid seller. A one-ounce coin with a 2,000 mintage and a $95.00 USD pricetag, it comes beautifully presented and in a custom capsule.
Read more at out our continually updated guide to the series at the link below, where you can also see the recently released Albus Dumbledore Chibi as well.
LINKS: COIN SERIES PROFILE TO THE CHIBI RANGE
LEDA AND THE SWAN (2020 Bank of Cyprus)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-12T22:47:50+00:00November 12th, 2020|
LEDA AND THE SWAN (BANK OF CYPRUS)
It was Powercoins superb ‘Eternal Sculptures’ series that first introduced us to the story of Leda and the Swan. In that case, the coins inspiration was a Roman period marble statue of beautiful elegance, but the tale was widely known in antiquity. A popular art form in antiquity was mosaic and there a countless examples of breathtaking beauty, like the Alexander the Great one found at Pompeii, so it wasn’t a surprise to see Leda and the Swan so depicted. One of the very best was found employed as a floor decoration in a Roman house at Palaipafos, which dates back to the 2nd century AD.
The Bank of Cyprus has used the mosaic to create a very cool silver coin done in a mosaic style (a cruder version of another fine Powercoin series). It eschews the colour of the original, but given the tame specification and low price of the coin (€42 incl. VAT), has nevertheless done an exemplary job in reproducing the spirit of the original. Keeping the main face free of inscribed details, bar the denomination, has helped immensely. All told, artist George Stamatopoulos should be very pleased with how this turned out.
Just 2,000 of these 28.28 gram sterling silver coins will be minted for the Bank of Cyprus by the Greek Mint. A standard 38.61 mm diameter means it’s big enough to show off the detail well, and we believe it comes boxed with a C.O.A. Available to buy now, direct from the Bank via their estore.
LINKS: BANK OF CYPRUS PURCHASE PAGE
DRAGON (2020, Mint of Poland)
Mik Woodgate2020-11-12T21:26:10+00:00November 12th, 2020|
2020 DRAGON (MINT OF POLAND)
One of the Mint of Polands releases that come out of nowhere, Dragon takes a classic subject, much used by the numismatic world, and if we’re brutally honest, does little with it. The Western-style depiction of the mythical beast is decent enough, with a fine pose and what seems to be a nice level of detail, but the background imagery is far too overpowering, in our view. In isolation, it would probably work well, but we live in a market awash with aftermarket paint jobs on bullion coins, and this has a look that could be confused with those.
The coin is struck in 0.999 silver and has an unusual weight of 32.90 grams. The diameter of 40.85 mm is also not one we see often, and we can see little explanation for the dimensions in the design itself. As an issue for Niue, it carries the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II – the Mint of Poland’s standard looking one. A mintage of 500 pieces is sensible, and packaging looks good, with the coin presented in a latex-skin frame. Available to order now, it has sparks of excellence, but for me at least, misses the mark.