July, 2020
MYTHICAL BEASTS: GRIFFIN (2020, Czech Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-13T14:35:41+01:00July 13th, 2020|
MYTHICAL BEASTS: 03 GRIFFIN (CZECH MINT)
It was just a couple of months ago that the Czech Mint launched its latest Mythical Beast’s collection of gold and silver coins with an introductory pair, the Phoenix and the Dragon. Having seen them in hand, we can attest to them being pretty designs, especially the Phoenix, so it’s good to see the next one in line – the Griffin.
A mythical creature of legend with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion, and the head, wings and front legs of an eagle. A striking beast, it’s a popular motif in modern culture, the logo for the Vauxhall car company, for example. The depiction on the coin is a fine one, with a classic look. The Greco-Roman border remains.
There’s tons of information on packaging options in the first article, and this one follows the same path. There’s a 1 oz silver and a tenth-ounce gold. Available now. The last coin this year will be the Harpy, and will ship in October. We’ll have a look at it then. A very nice, classically understated series.
LINKS: – THE FIRST TWO ISSUES
ANIMAL CHAMPIONS: SHARK (2020, Czech Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-12T14:25:42+01:00July 12th, 2020|
ANIMAL CHAMPIONS: SHARK (CZECH MINT)
The last of the Czech Mints ‘Animal Champions’ intros this month and features one of natures most finely honed predators, the shark. For over 400 million years, sharks and their immediate ancestors have prowled the world’s seas, often as apex predators, a position the Great White Shark occupies today, as long as there aren’t any Orca around, at least…
A very neat, stylised series of animal coins, each of which highlights an animal that excels at something like speed, size, etc. In the case of the shark, it’s the animal kingdoms most developed sensory suite. This is the fourth and last of the 2020 set, which itself follows four from 2019. Antique-finished, one ounce fine silver coins, they have a distinctive visual style which is clearly on show here. It has a mintage of 800 pieces and should ship later this month for €66.00. They come in a cardboard pack filled with information.
You can read more about this fine series in our Coin Series Profile, which has full images of every issue, and the obverse and packaging.
TOKELAU SEALIFE: HAHAVE FLYING FISH (2020)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-08T15:56:29+01:00July 8th, 2020|
TOKELAU SEALIFE: HAHAVE FLYING FISH (APMEX)
After a shaky start with some quality issues way back in 2014, quickly sorted, the Tokelau Sealife series has powered on to its seventh release in fine style. Last year saw the Loggerhead Turtle the subject of choice, but this time sees us back with the fish. The Flying Fish is one of those anomalous creatures that shouldn’t seem to exist, but does. A striking animal, it makes a cool addition to this range of 12 coins.
The depiction is busy, but very dynamic, showing a pair flying over a stylised sea. The fish name is inscribed on the reverse in English at the bottom, and in the language local to Tokelau at the top. This is something the series has always done. A 1oz silver (0.999) coin, it has a small mintage at just 10,000 pieces. This is way down from the original coins 500,000 pieces, and even last years 20,000, but it’s typical these days because of the explosion of choice that collectors and stackers now have. Good times indeed. The series was originally a product of Perth-based Treasures of Oz, but these days it’s an APMEXclusive.
LINKS: PREVIOUS COINS IN THE SERIES
PREDATORS: PANTHERA TIGRIS BULLION (2020, AllCollect)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-08T15:00:36+01:00July 8th, 2020|
PREDATORS: PANTHERA TIGRIS (ALLCOLLECT)
Allcollect’s Predators bullion coin series continues apace with the fourth issue, Panthera Tigris, or Tiger. An unusual series because it employs a range of finishing touches that are rarely seen in the predominately brilliant uncirculated finish competitors. Each issue has an incused footprint that is partly reverse-proof finished, the foreground of the main coin has a matte finish, with the background field mirror proof style. The result is an interesting mix in this genre.
We’ve already covered the Wolf, Scorpion and Puma issues, so this is officially the fourth to come out. It follows closely the style set out by previous coins. We’ve also seen other issues in various places, namely the Lion, Great White Shark, Bear, and Rattlesnake, and there’s a minigold (0.5g) subscription that that comprises these designs, although there are 16 in total. How many of those make the jump to silver bullion remains to be seen.
A good looking coin with a tight 15,000 mintage, these do carry a higher premium than many others, but the collector will be less bothered by that than the stacker. Issued for the Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s a 1oz silver (0.999) coin that likely looks much nicer in the hand than these images suggest, if previous issues are a reliable indicator.
LINKS: PREVIOUS COIN IN THE SERIES
JURASSIC PARK SILVER BULLION (2020)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-08T13:40:07+01:00July 8th, 2020|
JURASSIC PARK SILVER BULLION COIN
As well as the Back to the Future coin we just looked at, monster hit Jurassic Park also has a 1oz silver (0.999) bullion coin available to order now. Also issued for Niue, thus carrying the same QEII effigy on its obverse, it depicts the now super famous logo of the fictional theme park. The silhouette of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull has become synonymous with the movies, although we’re left in little doubt by the presence of the movie logo underneath it.
It’s a pretty neat design. Again, not an adventurous one, but you’re left in little doubt as to what the coin is about, and surely, that’s the point. As with Back to the Future, the mintage of this one is also just 10,000 pieces and it comes encapsulated. The appeal again, is a combination of the high-profile franchise and the limited mintage. You buy these in monster boxes of 500 pieces. To put the total mintage in perspective, that’s just 20 boxes in total…
BACK TO THE FUTURE SILVER BULLION (2020)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-08T12:45:06+01:00July 8th, 2020|
BACK TO THE FUTURE SILVER BULLION COIN
The limited run bullion coin market continues to diversify with the launch of a couple of new media franchise coins. The first one we’re looking at is a 10,000 mintage 1oz silver (0.999) coin themed around the popular Back to the Future movies. We’ve covered a few new issues in the higher-end commemorative market of late, but this is the first bullion coin we’ve seen.
Issued for Niue, it features the iconic De Lorean time travelling car that has become the signature prop from the trilogy. The 35th anniversary logo sits above the car, and a display of old-style digital numbers, as seen on the cars time travel console, sits at the bottom. A neat enough piece, if a little generic. The obverse features the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, along with the issue inscriptions. Available to order now with shipping imminent, the 10,000 mintage and popular theme mark this one out as one to watch, perhaps.
AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TEAM (2020, Royal Australian Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-07T15:40:16+01:00July 7th, 2020|
AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TEAM (ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT)
Usually reserved for one of their astronomical coins, the domed silver coin format, popularised by the Royal Australian Mint, is now being used for a broader range of subjects. The latest is this pretty issue celebrating the Australian Olympic squad. A clever little detour from the Olympics themselves, due to be held in Japan, but now postponed for the obvious reasons. Easily one of the best Olympic designs we’ve seen on a coin, imbued with a fine sense of artistic movement.
It’s a one-ounce fine silver coin with a true domed strike – concave on the reverse and convex on the obverse. The latter is a simple effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, and the whole thing has a proof finish. A nice themed shipper holds the standard RAM coin box, a decent item, and it sells for $135.00 AUD. The mintage is capped at 2,020 pieces and it’s available now. A beautiful coin and a good benchmark for the genre.
LINKS: ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT
YEAR OF THE MOUSE TEN-KILO SILVER COIN (2020 Perth Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-07T01:46:19+01:00July 7th, 2020|
LUNAR MOUSE TEN KILO SILVER BULLION (PERTH MINT)
I think everyone of our readers is aware enough of the Perth Mint’s debut Lunar Series III design that launched last September, but we’re finally seeing the release of the thicc boi – the mighty 10kg silver. Now this is a huge beast, with a diameter of 221 mm. We’re talking over 320 troy ounces of the good stuff (0.9999).
A maximum of 100 pieces of this will be struck, which comically, will weigh more than a 30,000 run 1oz bullion coin like the Australian Emu, for example. We’ve seen some of the Lunar Series II 10-kilo coins, and they’re quite a sight to behold, but these do suffer from an excessive premium over spot from what we remember – quite at odds with the principle of buying something in bulk. Whatever the case, a cool coin to own, for sure.
HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS POSTER (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-06T13:05:50+01:00July 6th, 2020|
HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS POSTER (NZ MINT)
The second movie in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets premiered in 2002 and was based on the 1998 novel by J. K. Rowling. It went on to gross over $879m, beaten in 2002 only by The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. It tells the story of Potters second year at Hogwarts and the opening of the Chamber of Secrets, unleashing a monster within the school.
The NZ Mint has long issued its rectangular one-ounce coins that reproduce some of the biggest franchised movie posters around. The Star Wars series has already worked its way through the three trilogies, and the first movie, Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone (ridiculously replacing Philosopher with Sorceror for the US market), has already had a release. These are 53 x 36 mm fine silver coins, with a colour reproduction of the main poster on one face. Beautifully presented in the acrylic frame, it has a mintage of 5,000 and a retail price around $85.00 USD. Available from today.
SERPENT OF MILAN HALF OUNCE (2020, Scottsdale Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-06T10:43:49+01:00July 6th, 2020|
SERPENT OF MILAN HALF-OUNCER (SCOTTSDALE MINT)
A new bullion coin series from Scottsdale Mint, a producer known for its varied and widespread selection, Serpent of Milan was an interesting idea. Based on a centuries old emblem from the Italian city-state, the Biscione depicts a serpent eating a human child. It’s currently still used by the top tier football team, Inter Milan and by the car maker, Alfa Romeo.
The debut of this design at the beginning of the year comprised a trio of one-ounce coins issued for Samoa. One of the silver pair was a standard brilliant uncirculated finish, the other antiqued, while a gold coin rounded out the range. Now, the half-ounce silver coins join the bigger ones and the same two finishes are on offer, although no gold this time. The antique variant has a 2,000 mintage, while the more traditional looker tops out at 15,000 pieces. Both are available now.
LINKS: PREVIOUS COINS IN 1OZ WEIGHT
JASPER SCARABAEUS (2020, Mint of Poland)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-05T15:26:03+01:00July 5th, 2020|
JASPER SCARABAEUS (MINT OF POLAND)
A series that debuted back in 2015 with the Amber Scarabaeus, the Mint of Poland’s Ancient Egyptian themed series has evolved by taking the same basic design – an Egyptian atyle beetle – and decorating it with different types of plating, colour and minerals. In all, it’s been quite an eclectic mix, and one we’ll probably do a Coin Series Profile on soon.
These remain 17.5 gram 0.999 silver coins, issued for Niue and with the obligatory effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. This time around, the beetle and surrounding detail, is richly coloured in gold and emerald green. Taking pride of place is a half-sphere of green jasper – a mineral the Ancient Egyptians were well familiar with, using it for gold jewellery and other objects. Available now, the coin has a mintage of 500 pieces and comes in one of those neat latex skin frames with an incorporated Certificate of Authenticity.
LINKS: FIRST COIN IN THE SERIES
AUSTRALIAN EMU SILVER BULLION COIN (2020, Perth Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-07-01T12:58:28+01:00July 1st, 2020|
AUSTRALIAN EMU SILVER BULLION (PERTH MINT)
We had a good look at the new 2020 Australian Emu coin range a few weeks ago, but the most important variant for collectors is only having its debut today. The one-ounce 0.9999 silver coin is the one collectors love to stack, and with a relatively small mintage of 30,000 pieces, it’s also an attractive purchase, especially as it hails from the stackers favourite Australian producer, the Perth Mint.
The Natasha Muhl design featuring a pair of these strange birds, is a good one and the third in this range. The obverse depicts the newer effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark. These are certainly shaping up into a great little series. Available to order from today, the coin comes encapsulated and is distributed by Metal Market EU.
June, 2020
DISNEY CLASSICS: STEAMBOAT WILLIE (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-06-30T13:11:44+01:00June 30th, 2020|
DISNEY CLASSICS: STEAMBOAT WILLIE (2020, NZ Mint)
You have to go back six years for the first New Zealand Mint Disney coin. They chose the original Mickey Mouse short, Steamboat Willie, and it came in a full range of sizes up to a staggering kilo of gold. Now the subject is back for a reissue in amore limited form. There are very few changes to the design, just the expected inscriptions showing difference.
This time the range is limited to a ¼oz gold (100 mintage, $750), a 1oz gold (50, $2,900)and a 1oz silver (1,928, $85), all proof finished. Packaging remains great qulaity and understated and all variants are available now. While the gold versions have a very low mintage, it’s a shame to see a straight reissue rather than a new design. If you missed out back in 2014, this is a second chnace to get what is a great looking coin (check out our AgAuShoot of the original 1kg gold), but we hope this isn’t the start of a new trend of rehashing old designs.
ARCHANGEL MICHAEL (2020, NZ Mint)
Mik Woodgate2020-06-25T15:44:21+01:00June 25th, 2020|
ARCHANGELS: MICHAEL (NZ MINT)
Launching in April, the New Zealand Mint issued the first Archangel in a new series of rectangular 1oz silver coins – Gabriel. The second is here now and features a depiction of the Archangel Michael from a stained-glass window in Hull Minster in England. A beautiful piece of art by Mary Hutchinson, Gabriel was also based on her work in this superb 13th century building. You can read more about it in our coverage of the first coin.
A 36 x 53 mm 0.999 silver coin, it has a nice restrained colour application that succeeds in not stepping over the line into gaudy. Nicely framed by a border, also present on the effigy-adorned obverse, it comes very well presented in a solid acrylic frame for easy display. It has a recommended price of $85.00 USD and a mintage of 2,000 pieces. Available now.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLLO 11 LANDING: GILDED (2020, Pobjoy)
Mik Woodgate2020-06-17T19:37:22+01:00June 17th, 2020|
FIRST MOON LANDING GILDED (POBJOY MINT)
We saw a good selection of coins last year that celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and in amongst the mix was a domed piece by the Pobjoy Mint. A two-ounce silver coin with plenty of high relief, it was a neat enough design, mixing various elements associated with the mission (flag, footprint, patches) and laying them on a lunar surface. It was issued for Ascension Island, appropriately enough as there was a NASA tracking station there.
That coin had a mintage of 650, but Pobjoy apparently kept 99 pieces back for a limited reissue, this time with some selective gilding. Dubbed ‘Goldclad’ by the British producer, the gilding is limited to the famous footprint left on the lunar surface. You can read and see more about the original coin in our article at the link below, as outside of that gilding, this is fundamentally the same coin. Available to order from today for £137.50 +tax.
LINKS: THE ORIGINAL UNGILDED ISSUE