With only a week to go to the big day, we’ve probably left this a little late if we’re being completely honest, but below is a round-up of most of the Christmas coins available to purchase this year. All silver with just one exception, and that’s just CIT’s weird little tree coin.

It’s not a subject we’re particular fans of here, and they’re probably not one for many coin collectors, but they do make fine gifts for people and on that point deserve some coverage. Besides, a few of them are actually pretty well-done and none are howlers, so take a peek.

2015 NIUE – MINT OF POLAND

The Mint of Poland presents a one-of-a-kind ”Christmas tree” coin, designed to capture and bring back delightful Christmas memories. The added value of the coin is its jewel-like decoration made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

The reverse has n the centre – an image of a boy and two girls dressed in Christmas outfits. On the left and on the right – a couple of sparkling stars of various shapes and dimensions. In the background – winter ornaments. Comes in a nice bauble box.

Available from dealers worldwide like the First Coin Company, and Top World Coins for around $100/€100

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIMENSIONS	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$2 NZD	0.99 Ag	31.1 g	45.5 x 53.3 mm	PROOF	2,999

2015 NIUE – MINT OF POLAND

Nice design from the Mint of Poland that incorporates the old (Raphael Santi’s Angels and Wilson A. Bentley’s snowflake photos) with the new (a 4-angle latent image showing changing snowflakes when the coin is moved). Around $75 including a nice box and certificate.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$1 NZD	0.925 Ag	15.5 g	38.61 mm	PROOF	999

THREE WISE KINGS – KIRIBATI

A clean, uncoloured design depicting on of the most famous scenes from the Christmas stories, The Three Kings visiting the baby Jesus with gifts of frankincense (no thanks), myrrh (??) and gold (yes please..).

We’ve only seen this one at APMEX for $80.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$5 KIRIBATI	0.925 Ag	18.5 g	38.61 mm	PROOF	5,000

2015 HAPPY CHRISTMAS – INTERCOINHOUSE

Unusual shooting star design, the reverse depicts a scene of adoration of the Magi. PAD printed on four-nines silver, the coin is certainly different.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$1 NZD	0.9999 Ag	20.0 g	IRREGULAR	PROOF	5,000

DISNEY SEASONS GREETINGS – NZ MINT

This coin features a seasonal image of Disney characters, set against a proof quality background inscribed with snowflakes and the engraved words Season’s Greetings. The Season’s Greetings 1/2 oz Silver Coin comes presented in a clear, star-shaped coin capsule, which sits inside a book themed outer packaging. The star capsule comes complete with a ribbon and is ready to be hung on the Christmas tree. The Certificate of Authenticity is printed onto the packaging.

Available from NZ Mint dealers like Minted-UK for £45.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$1 NZD	0.999 Ag	15.55 g	32.60 mm	PROOF	10,000

MASTERPIECES OF ART: CHRISTMAS ANNUNCIATION

Considerably more expensive and exclusive than the other coins here, this one is part of the ongoing “Masterpieces of Art” series. Dedicated to a famous masterpiece by Philippe de Champaigne, a Flemish born artist of the French Baroque school. The Annunciation was painted in 1644 for the private chapel of Anne of Austria, the widowed wife of Louis XIII. The painting depicts the angel Gabriel which tells Maria that she is pregnant with Jesus Christ and is decorated on both sides with sixteen genuine Swarovski crystals.

Available from Top World Coins for €299.00.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$20 COOK ISLANDS	0.999 Ag	93.3 g	55.00 mm	PROOF	1,644

VENETIAN GLASS SNOWMAN – CANADA

The second in a series of coloured holiday-themed coins bearing a three-dimensional Venetian glass figure created by the Italian masters, Murano, each snowman is handcrafted and unique, with no two being exactly identical. The reverse design by Canadian artist Julius Csotonyi features a festive outdoor Canadian holiday scene. Bearing all of the key hallmarks of the Canadian winter holiday season, this outdoor evening scene centres around an adorable white glass snowman with an orange carrot nose, red buttons, a black top hat, and a green scarf.

Available from the Royal Canadian Mint or their dealers for around $150 CAD.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$20 CAD	0.9999 Ag	31.39 g	38.00 mm	PROOF	10,000

GOLDEN CHRISTMAS TREE – COIN INVEST TRUST

One of Coin Invest Trust’s numerous half-gram gold coins and part of range of unusual shapes that have previously included a cartoon dog. Only 11mm wide and issued for Palau, if you’re looking for something different, or a coin for conversion to jewellery, this is your thing.

Available from the multiple dealers such as Invercoin at €49.95.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$1 PALAU	0.9999 AU	0.5 g	11.00 mm	BU	15,000

SEASONS GREETINGS – PERTH MINT

There’s never a shortage of Christmas coins, usually featuring some sort of insert or other enhancement, but we’re genuinely surprised at what a fine looking coin this is for the genre. Sympathetically coloured, the design is first class and I’d certainly recommend it as a decent coin gift. Well done Jennifer McKenna, the designer. $63.50 AUD

Available at the usual Perth Mint dealers.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$0.5 AUD	0.999 Ag	15.591 g	36.60 mm	PROOF	5,000

NEW YEARS EVE COIN – ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT

“Following the popular holographic New Year’s Eve fireworks coin from 2014, the Royal Australian Mint has once again teamed with the City of Sydney to present an exciting coin souvenir. Sydney is a city that inspires people throughout the world to visit and explore its friendly shores. This year’s fireworks theme of Inspire is interpreted in colour on this beautiful silver piece, which will be popular with tourists and New Year’s Eve revellers.”

Available from the Royal Australian Mint for $60.00 AUD

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$1 AUD	0.999 Ag	15.55 g	35.89 mm	FROSTED UNC	5,000

WINTER WONDERLAND – KIRIBATI

A nice big two-ounce silver coin with a star-shaped cut-out and a star trail with a sparkling effect. Selective 24k gilding is used to highlight selcted parts of the design. Come in some good quality packaging as well.

Available from the APMEX for $219.99.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$20 KIRIBATI	0.925 Ag	62.2 g	55.00 mm	PROOF	999

UHR CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT – CANADA

“Bring a sparkle to someone’s holiday season with this stunning coloured ultra high relief coin. Delivering all the beauty and magic of a traditional holiday ornament, this fine silver coin has been produced using a quadruple-striking process, painstaking engraving and an advanced colouring technique to ensure that it remains a special treasure and beloved keepsake for years to come.

The coin is the second one to feature the use of the advanced Sheer Effect colourization technique. This effect makes the colour glitter under light. This effect was also beautifully used on the sold out 75th Anniversary of The Royal Winnipeg Ballet coin.”

Available from the Royal Canadian Mint for $129.95 CAD.

FACE VALUE	METAL	WEIGHT	DIAMETER	QUALITY	MINTAGE
$25 CAD	0.9999 Ag	30.76 g	36.15 mm	PROOF	6,000

THREE HOLY KINGS -PALAU

Another Christmas coin featuring the three kings and another one we’ve only seen at APMEX, this one is cheaper than most, but it’s only half an ounce in weight. The highlighting here is a yellow enamelled shooting star in the background that’s quite subtle. A busy coin from a Biblical Stories range that has quite a well done obverse.

Available from APMEX for $74.99.