Tonka, the indestructible toy we broke all our other toys with, is 75 years old. Don’t use the new coin to do the same…

From humble beginnings at a company, Mound Metalcraft, making gardening tools, Tonka grew to be one of the most iconic toy brands in history. Taking its name from the Dakota Sioux name ‘tanka’, meaning ‘great, or big’, the steel toy trucks the company made soon took over the business, selling 37,000 of them in their first year.

Known for their size, weight and toughness, Tonka concentrated on toy construction vehicles, culminating in their iconic yellow Dump Truck in 1965, which is now inextricably linked with the brand. It’s still in production today, and of course, the New Zealand Mint have chosen it to adorn their commemorative 75th anniversary release.

This rectangular, one-ounce silver coin is antique finished, with the official 75th anniversary logo struck into the right side of the reverse face. Next to it, in full colour, is that dump truck. It all positively screams ‘Tonka’, so no criticisms from us on the design. Fans will like it, we’re sure. The obverse has the usual effigy of Queen Elizabeth II to one side, and some chunky tyre tracks on the other.

As always, the mint has done a good job with the presentation, and the mintage is a relatively small 1,947 pieces, a number chosen to recognise the year that Mound Metalcraft debuted their first truck. Available now, for $95.00 USD

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION $2 NZD (Niue)
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver
WEIGHT 31.1 grams
DIMENSIONS 33.0 x 53.0 mm
FINISH Antique
MODIFICATIONS Colour
MINTAGE 1,947
BOX / C.O.A. Yes / Yes