September, 2020
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
THE RISE OF SKYWALKER POSTER FOIL (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-12T13:35:54+01:00August 12th, 2020|
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER POSTER FOIL ( NZ MINT)
The last of the New Zealand Mint’s Star Wars Posters premium silver foils drops today and features another of the new and divisive movies in the long running franchise, Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. While there are people that love or hate the new trilogy, they’re actually movies that you can also feel indifferent about as well. Visually extravagant, as you would expect, a meandering story following a seen before pattern, and acting ranging from first class to baggage class, it’s certainly a typical Star Wars movie and you can watch it with your brain in neutral and enjoy it.
What is hard to argue with, however, is the quality of the movie posters that have popularised the movies over the last five decades. Some fantastic designs that have become icons of movie memorailia, they’re a superb choice for a foil series, much more so than the NZ Mint’s own coin series in comparison. As before, this is a 35 gram silver foil a little short of A4-size, sealed in a perspex frame. It’s coloured, but the silver background has been allowed to show through in places.
Available today for around $130.00 USD, it has a mintage of 10,000 pieces. Check out our profile for more information on this series, and our guide to the whole NZ Mint Star Wars releases.
LINKS: STAR WARS COIN GUIDE / FOIL SERIES PROFILE
LION KING:CIRCLE OF LIFE BULLION COIN (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-11T08:05:38+01:00August 11th, 2020|
LION KING: CIRCLE OF LIFE ( NEW ZEALAND MINT)
The New Zealand Mint now seems to be knocking out limited run bullion coins with an increased vigour, almost all tied to one of the mints big name media licences, Disney or Star Wars. The last issue we covered for the latter franchise was the APMEXclusive ‘Mandalorian Mythosaur’, and this one is the latest under the Disney brand proper. Also an APMEXclusive (a large US coin dealer), it is the second Lion King coin after a debut issue in 2019, and is subtitled ‘Circle of Life’.
A popular film, so no doubt most of you will recognise the scene, and the design does a good job of incorporating the sunburst lines that are a signature element of many of these issues. The obverse is a bog standard effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, just as you would expect of a Niue bullion coin. Available as a one-ounce 0.999 silver, or a 0.9999 gold variant, with the former topping out at 25,000 pieces, and the latter at a tiny 250. An okay design overall, and one that will appeal to Disney fans, although for me, the competition out there means there are nicer designs on the market. The Disney name and that 250 mintage make the gold version quite appealing, however. Available to order from APMEX, with other dealers to follow, no doubt.
COCO EDITION: GECKO (2020, AllCollect)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-10T09:11:30+01:00August 10th, 2020|
COCO EDITION: GECKO ( ALLCOLLECT)
As I may have mentioned before, I’ve got a special affinity for the Caribbean island of Anguilla, having lived there for 1½ years over a decade ago. However, modern precious metal coins are few and far between. The only one that regularly springs to mind is the lobster coin in Scottsdale Mint’s ‘Eastern Caribbean 8’ annual bullion coin programme. It’s good to see AllCollect issue something for this island with its stunning beaches.
Depicting a Gecko, a small reptile that is pretty common on the island, the creature is gilded with the distinctive reddish rose gold. What is different with these ‘CoCo Edition’ coins (this is the second, following a starfish design issued for the Cook Islands), is the treatment of the main coin face. The coin is covered with fine ceramic particles, which apparently require intense heat to deposit, and results in a bright, intense look that is very clean and contrasts well with the gilded elements
The finish extends to the obverse, but that’s a simple effigy of Queen Elizabeth II (Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory), so not something that will generate much interest. This 38.6 mm diameter coin is an ounce of fine silver in weight and has a mintage of 2,500 pieces, coming with a Certificate of Authenticity, and in a white coin box. The Starfish coin from 2019 looked good in AllCollect’s video, so we’d expect this one to follow suit, although we’ve seen neither in hand yet. A nice coin and a relatively rare one for Anguilla.
LINKS:
PAMP SILVER CAPSULES (2020, PAMP-MTB)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-05T21:48:09+01:00August 5th, 2020|
PEZ SILVER CAPSULES ( PAMP / MTB)
It was a truly quirky surprise addition to the silver market last year when PAMP-MTB issued their Santa PEZ dispenser with its 6 x 5 gram capsules made of solid silver. Selling out in 24 hours, it was followed up last week with a Rubber Duck, of all things. Recognising the nature of the original PEZ candy, with its almost countless variations in dispenser styles, PAMP-MTB have taken the obvious step in making the silver capsules available as a seperate item.
Each set comes with the same six capsules, each 5 grams in weight, so just under a troy ounce in total. The six come packaged in a neat container and the beauty of them, is that they fit in any of the thousands of dispensers that are on the market, covering almost every media franchise under the sun. It’s hard to imagine a better way to get the young interested in stacking, as long as they don’t try to eat them. If you see bits of tooth scattered around the house, it’s fair to say your kid might not be the next Albert Einstein… 😉
Available this month, they should retail for around $55-60, but with the price of silver shooting up and down more than my elbow in a bar, expect that to change.
LINKS: THE RUBBER DUCK PEZ DISPENSER PACK
KOOKABURRA 5OZ HIGH RELIEF GILDED (2020, Perth Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-04T09:58:50+01:00August 4th, 2020|
KOOKABURRA 5OZ HIGH RELIEF GILDED (2020, Perth Mint)
The last swansong before the reveal of the 2021 bullion designs next month, it will be a shame to see the 2020 Kookaburra disappear, as we feel it’s been one of the best issues in this long running series for some years. The coolest part of all has been the reproduction of the debut issue as a seperate element on the obverse face, seeing as this is the 30th anniversary year of the series.
Fortunately, this version is also one of the best, employing five ounces of 0.9999 silver and struck as one of the Perth Mint’s pretty, concave high relief coins. In most other regards, this is a design unchanged from the original bullion coin, except for a subtle use of gilding on some of the sunrays and the sun in the background. Not a huge change, but that’s often a good thing when the core design is so solid.
Nicely presented in one of the mints newer acrylic-lidded display boxes, and with a mintage of 500 pieces, this is, in our view, possibly the nicest variant of this design the mint has issued. Unfortunately, it comes with a $549.00 AUD pricetag, but this 2020 Kookaburra has plenty of other options available.
JAMES BOND 007 MINIGOLD ( 2020, Perth Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-08-04T00:21:37+01:00August 4th, 2020|
JAMES BOND 007 MINIGOLD ( PERTH MINT)
It was back in January that the Perth Mint unveiled its James Bond 007 coins with a gold and silver proof design replicating the iconic ‘bullet-hole’ of the movie franchise, as well as a limited bullion variant. With a range of excellent designs also hitting the market from Britain’s Royal Mint, including a superb Aston Martin coin, it seems the suave secret agent (well, as secret as someone that tells everyone their name can be…) is finally making a splash in the numismatic world.
This time around we see the Perth Mint add to its shelecshion (sorry…) with a half-gram minigold version. At only 11 mm in diameter, these have a limited ability to carry a complex design, so it’s been simplified to just some text and the iconic gun logo. To be honest, that’s probably enough. Presented on a themed card, it has an unlimited mintage. A simple release, and at $89.00 AUD, a relatively cheap way into 007 Au. Available today.