The nine movie Star Wars Skywalker Saga wraps up with the last silver poster coin from Niue

Three years after the series started, the New Zealand Mint’s Star Wars Movie Poster coin series wraps up its look at the nine-film saga telling the tale of the Skywalker family. Each of these one-ounce rectangular coins depicts the official movie poster for the initial release of the film. Whatever your views on the movies, and the last trilogy in particular has spotlighted how variable they are, it’s hard to dismiss the quality of the artwork used to promote them.

Having a consistent style over the last forty years, they make a fine set, and the New Zealand Mint’s choice of a rectangular format for their one-ounce silver coin depictions is a good one. They’re simple enough, and all the better for it. We’re particularly impressed with the way some details are left uncoloured so that the silver metal can show through.

As well as the ninth movie in the Skywalker Saga, the mint has also reissued the first one in a form that matches the rest. A New Hope originally debuted with 40th anniversary logo branding and was a sell-out hit. This effective reissue does away with that, but is to all intents and purposes the same. We’;re not fans of increasing mintage like this, but it has been restricted to 1,977 pieces, at least. It’s a shame the mint didn’t choose one of the other excellent ‘A New Hope’ posters this time around, but we know that licenced properties like this are subject to onerous conditions.

A highlight of this series has been the packaging, with the bordered acrylic frames a fine way to make display easy and attractive. All told, these $85.00 USD coins are fine examples of Star Wars merchandising, showcasing the series in a classic sense, rather than picking individual characters or vessels. They’re equally appealing to general movie memorabilia collectors for that same reason. The NZM has also just started issuing coins like these for the Harry Potter series of films, of which there are eight, so obviously it’s a popular concept. Even the Perth Mint did a fine Alien version. If you want bigger, the NZM also issues these Star Wars designs in their premium silver foil format, with the seventh one of those due to drop in a few days time. You can read more about those HERE. Available now.

STAR WARS EPISODE IX: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 American epic space opera film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. It is the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017), and the final episode of the nine-part “Skywalker saga”. The film’s ensemble cast includes Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Kelly Marie Tran, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams.

The Rise of Skywalker follows Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they lead the Resistance’s final stand against Kylo Ren and the First Order, who are now aided by the return of the deceased galactic emperor, Palpatine. Principal photography began in August 2018 at Pinewood Studios in England and wrapped in February 2019. Post-production was completed on November 24, 2019. With an estimated budget of $275 million, it is one of the most expensive films ever made.

The film had its world premiere in Los Angeles on December 16, 2019, and was theatrically released in the United States on December 20, 2019. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the acting, action sequences, musical score, and visual effects, but criticized the story, pacing, and perceived departures from the plot and themes of The Last Jedi. It has grossed over $1.074 billion worldwide, making it the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2019 and the 32nd-highest-grossing film of all time. The film received three nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards (Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound Editing) as well as three at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards (also Best Special Visual Effects, Best Original Music, and Best Sound).