The five-coin ‘Thunderbirds Countdown’ thunders on with one of the most popular elements of the whole show, Thunderbird 2. Piloted by the brother Virgil, Thunderbird 2 is the innovative heavy lifter of the organisation designed to carry different configurations of rescue equipment in numbered ‘Pods’. A real centrepiece of this excellent serial, this will likely be the most popular coin in the series to date.

Each of the five coins depicts one of the main Thunderbird vessels and the Tracy brother that controls it. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the superb Gerry Anderson conceived British science-fiction tv show, ‘Thunderbirds’ the series contains seven coins overall. Including the five vessel coins, the range is book-ended by an anniversary design, one in silver and the last one due for a September release, in gold.

The craft coins all follow the design ethos shown here and countdown from the space station Thunderbird Five to the rocket-scout, Thunderbird One. We love the old 60’s show, much more so than the new one, and the coins are designed perfectly in keeping with the character of the original Thunderbirds. The perspex display stands the NZ Mint use are among the best around and make showing the coins off very easy. Available from today for $85 USD.

The greatest of Gerry Anderson’s puppet-based creations, Thunderbirds chronicles the adventures of International Rescue, a mysterious rescue organisation using ultra-advanced equipment to save lives. Set in 2065 and run by the Tracy Family, headed by ex-astronaut father Jeff and crewed by his five sons, the 32 episodes filmed are some of the most entertaining of their genre. Filmed between 1964 and 1966, it used pioneering scale-model special effects sequences in a hybrid filming technique they called “Supermarionation”. One if the most expensive television series of all time when it was filmed, the show spawned two movies in 1966 and 1968.  The new series made in the UK by ITV, and in New Zealand with effects wizards Weta, is powering its way through its first season, and even though it will never replace the brilliance of the original, it’s a decent mix of new and old. Fifty-two episodes having already been commissioned, so the new series will certainly get a chance to approach the classic status of the original, but we doubt it will.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Thunderbird 2, 1 oz Fine Silver Coin is the fourth in the countdown from Thunderbird 5 to 1 coins released by New Zealand Mint. Featuring the gifted artist and pianist Virgil Tracy and his equipment freight vehicle Thunderbird 2, this coin is sure to impress. It’s release is timed to coincide with an exciting part CGI television remake, which begun its broadcasting in April 2015, 50 years after the original.

Gerry Anderson’s iconic Sci-fi show blasted onto television screens in 1965. Set in the year 2065 on a secret island base, the series stars the Tracy family, who together with their five vehicles known as the Thunderbirds battle the forces of evil as ‘International Rescue’.

This highly collectible coin has a Limited Mintage of only 5,000 coins.

REVERSE: This design features Virgil Tracy, pilot of Thunderbird 2, set against an engraved background.

OBVERSE: This features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Country of Issue – Niue.

PRESENTATION: This colourful retro-styled Thunderbird 2 silver coin is presented in Thunderbirds themed packaging. A classic box and uniquely numbered Certificate of Authenticity, make this one of a kind release a classy and nostalgic gift for any Thunderbirds fan or coin aficionado.

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SPECIFICATION